Aquaculture and the Impacts of Fishing

Question 1

What is an aquaculture? Where does it occur?

Answer 1

• farming of fish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, or aquatic plants by an individual or corporation with intent to sell farmed organisms to consumers for profit
• occur in both marine & freshwater environments, depending on the organisms being farmed

Question 2

Environmental Disadvantages of Aquacultures

Answer 2

• Nitrogenous waste can pollute waterways, leading to eutrophication
• Uneaten feed can pollute waterways, leading to water-quality issues
  Escaped farmed organisms can interbreed or compete with wild organisms
• Diseases & parasites from densely packed farmed populations can spread to wild populations
  Medications to control disease in farmed organisms can pollute waterways

Question 3

Environmental Advantages of Aquacultures

Answer 3

• highly efficient, requires only small areas of water, & requires little fuel
• Provides high-quality protein to growing human population
• provides stable income to fisherfolk, with less risk than open-water fishing
• less land, fossil fuel and water use compared to raising livestock