Training of Trainers - Library - Network of Aquaculture Centres in ...

The indirect positive impact of aquaculture on the preservation of coral reefs that are predicted to be negativelyimpacted upon by climate change is considered. In this regard aquaculture is expected to meet the growingdemand of the lucrative, live fish restaurant trade of high valued marine species such as groupers (e.g.,Epinephalus spp.) and in doing so it will reduce the intensity of the use of destructive fishing methods. The latterwill therefore, essentially remove a factor exacerbating coral reef destruction and contribute to conservingbiodiversity.Two of the most important aquaculture activities, primarily from an economic view point, are carnivorous finfish(e.g. salmonid) and shrimp culture, that generate export income to producing countries, and where the processingof these commodities provides a large number of livelihood options to communities that would otherwise will notbe available. However, these commodities, based on life cycle assessments, are energy wise very costly, andcontribute to net carbon emissions. The production of these commodities is market driven with the latter increasingin consequence to the increases in living standards and higher disposable incomes, both in the developed anddeveloping world. As an adaptive measure to curtail the contribution to carbon emissions from these relatively highpriced commodities it is suggested that the consumer is made aware of the degree of carbon emissions for theproducts, in the same vein as indicating traceability.All farming systems have an energy cost, and in one form or another will contribute to the emission of green housegases, and thereby contribute to climate change, albeit to different degrees. In this context it is shown that thegreat bulk aquaculture is less energy costly, and indeed contributes to carbon sequestration than most otherterrestrial farming systems. It is suggested that criticisms on aquaculture have been based on the consideration of,by and large, the farming of carnivorous finfish species and shrimp; two commodities that account for less than tenpercent of global aquaculture production. On the other hand, it is pointed out that the positive aspects ofaquaculture, particularly in relation to its impacts on climate change, perhaps the most burgeoning problem facingthe world, is neglected by many.73