IS FARMED SEAFOOD GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?From WWF^
CHEMICAL INPUTS
Excessive use of chemicals – such as antibiotics, anti-foulants and pesticides – or the use of banned chemicals can have unintended consequences for marine organisms and human health.^LAND CONVERSION AND
DEGRADATIONClearing of land for agriculture feed sources affects high conservation value areas. For example, ecosystems such as mangroves are often cleared to create fish farms, and pollution from fish farms can impact coral reefs and kelp forests.ENERGY USE
Electricity use can be very high on aquaculture farms. A high flow of electricity is required to run large–scale flow–through and recirculating culture systems for abalone production. On freshwater trout farms, a massive amount of energy can be used to operate water pumps, recirculation systems and other equipment.SEAFOOD GUIDE
Eighty-five percent of the world’s marine stocks are either fully exploited or overfished, driving accelerated growth in the farmed seafood industry. With annual revenue in excess of USD60 billion, that industry is on the verge of surpassing the total volume of wild-caught product.Farmed seafood provides an answer to increasing demand for
protein sources as the world’s population becomes more affluent, urbanised and approaches 9 billion before 2050.However, irresponsible aquaculture is also threatening
marine ecosystems.NUTRIENT POLLUTION AND
CARRYING CAPACITYExcess food and fish waste increase the levels of nutrients in the water and have the potential to lead to oxygen-deprived waters that stress aquatic life.