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To progress toward a more sustainable society, the food and agriculture sectors play a crucial role in addressing both hunger issues and environmental needs. The growing demand for “blue foods,” which are nutrient dense and environmentally friendly, aligns with our sustainability goals. Meeting this rising demand for sustainable food options requires engagement in aquaculture—the practice of breeding, raising, and harvesting aquatic resources.
THE KEY CONCERN
According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, aquaculture is expected to drive a 32% growth in global fish production, reaching 106 million metric tons by 2030, up from 2020 levels. For the industry to be sustainable, it must balance considerations of the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet, and Profit. Social responsibility is paramount in fish farming, ensuring the health and welfare of the community and meeting the demands of both local communities and the undernourished population. Additionally, the industry must minimize adverse environmental impacts, such as ecosystem disruption, biodiversity loss, and pollution, by using natural resources efficiently. Finally, aquaculture practices should be profitable and offer promising long-term opportunities for those involved in the industry.
HOW BUSINESSES MUST ADAPT
Sustainable aquaculture can be acquired through responsible production, systemic changes across industry value chains, and fostering stakeholder relationships that consider environmental well-being. Encouraging small players in the industry to adopt sustainable farming practices can be achieved by enhancing the value chain through technology integration. For example, in collaboration with the Universities Innovation Hub, the Scottish business FishFrom aims to leverage technology to mitigate the environmental impact of farmed salmon. Through the implementation of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), this innovative solution transforms the production of Atlantic salmon. It allows for precise environmental control, efficient use of energy and land, and effective disease management, revolutionizing the way salmon is produced.
Aquaculture plays a vital role in addressing hunger and advancing sustainability. An approach that businesses ought to embrace involves using these objectives as a framework for transformative projects, leveraging technology to enhance the resilience and overall impact of the aquaculture sector for the benefit of People, the Planet, and Profit.
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