Aquaculture: Some facts and figures
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, finfish, shellfish (mollusks and crustaceans), and aquatic plants in controlled or selected aquatic environments. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, and protection from predators. Farming also implies individual or corporate ownership of cultivated stock.
In 2012, the top ten aquaculture producers (excluding aquatic plants and non-food products) were:
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China – 41.1 million tonnes,
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India – 4.2 million tonnes,
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Vietnam 3.1 million tonnes,
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Indonesia 3.1 million tonnes),
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Bangladesh, Norway, Thailand, Chile, Egypt, Myanmar ….
The above countries produce 88% of world production by quantity according to FAO yearbook. Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics. 2012, p. 18 in pdf document.
“World per capita apparent fish consumption increased from an average of 9.9 kg in the 1960s to 19.2 kg in 2012 (preliminary estimate)… A portion of 150 g of fish can provide about 50–60 percent of an adult’s daily protein requirements.” (see page 22 of PDF File).
Human Fish Consumption has risen over the years and continues to do so:
2007 – 17.6 kg per capita fish consumption
2010 – 18.5 kg per capita fish consumption
2012 – 19.2 kg per capita fish consumption
Did you know ?
Did you know that a portion of 150 g of fish provides about 50–60 percent of the daily protein requirements for an adult?
It is important to keep in mind that aquaculture production can be categorized into:
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inland aquaculture (land-based farming) which generally uses freshwater but some do use saline or saline-alkali water inland, AND
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mariculture which describes production operations in the sea and intertidal zones.
Aquaculture accounts for about 50% of the fish that is used for food.
Resources worth checking out
Statistics and Information Branch of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (2014). FAO yearbook. Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics. 2014.
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