The document discusses the topic of sustainable aquaculture and outlines some of the environmental impacts of aquaculture such as habitat loss, pollution, and escape of non-native species. It notes that aquaculture production has been increasing globally but that sustainability can be improved by practices like proper site selection, reducing overfeeding, and growing native species. The document also suggests actions individuals can take to support more sustainable seafood choices and aquaculture practices.

1. Sustainable
Aquaculture
Texas Envirothon
-Aquatics-
Teacher Workshop
January 11 2014
Jenny Oakley
Environmental Scientist
oakley@uhcl.edu

2. Aquatic Resource Consumption
• In the US, 16 ½ lbs of
seafood/person/year
o US population (2012): ~314million =
~5.2billion lbs/year
• US imports over half of the
seafood it consumes.
• Global total production
=148.5 million tons in 2010.

3. Fish is good for you…right?
• Institute of Medicine: recommends a
diet rich in seafood.
• Lean, heart healthy source of protein
• But, Is all seafood safe to eat?
o PCBs
o Heavy metals
o DDT
o Hormones
o Radiation?

5. Overfishing
• Definition: Catching too much fish for the system to
support by reproduction.
o Economically extinct fisheries
o Fishing down the food-chain
o Bycatch
o Irreversible consequences
• Overfishing Video LINK

6. OMG, we are doomed!
• Wait, is this some kind of fish story?
o Sample methods
o Population numbers = a guess
o Middle Ground
• Magnuson–Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act -
1976-
o Sustainable fisheries act of 1996
o National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA)
o U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
o State Parks and Wildlife Department

7. So… how do we provide food?
• Aquaculture production = avg. growth of 6.3 % per year
• 2010, value of aquaculture production ~ at $119.4 billion.
Producer
Million
Metric
Tons
China 36.7
India 4.6
Viet Nam 2.7
Indonesia 2.3
Bangladesh 1.3
Thailand 1.4
Norway 1
Egypt 0.9
Myanmar 0.8
the Philippines 0.7
• Top 10 aquaculture producers In 2010,
contributed 87.6 % of world production
by quantity.

8. Aquaculture
• Output of Aquaculture:
o Consumption
• Direct: fish market
• Indirect: fish meal or byproducts
o Stock wild populations
• TPWD = 40 million fish in public
lakes, ponds, and saltwater bays
• Definition: the farming of aquatic organisms.

9. What is being produced?
• Major cultured species:
o Freshwater Fishes: 56.4%
o Molluscs: 23.6%
o Crustaceans: 9.6%
o Diadromous Fishes: 6.0 %
o Marine Fishes: 3.1%
o Other: 1.4%

10. Aquaculture Types
Farm/Tank vs Ranch/Cage

11. Aquaculture Products
Fish Amphibians Invertebrates Reptiles Plants

12. Is Aquaculture the Answer?

13. Environmental Impacts
• Loss of natural habitat
o Water needs
• Coastal areas: Mangroves
• Riparian zone: Rivers
• Loss of genetic diversity
o Brood Stock

14. Environmental Impacts Cont.
• Water Usage
o Intake screens
o Water rights
• Pollution
o Eutrophication
o Thermal pollution
o Disease and Pathogens
o Antibiotics, steroids, & drug resistant pathogens

15. Environmental Impacts Cont.
• Escapees
o Invasive species
• Asian Carp LINK
o Genetic pollution
• Predator Control
o Permitted and Unpermitted control of birds, marine mammals, etc.
• Physical removal
• Sonar

16. Environmental Impacts Cont.
• Feeding Fish with Fish?
o Wild caught fish used to feed aquaculture
o Farming carnivores LINK

17. Sustainability of Aquaculture
• Proper site selection
o Permitting requirements
• Reduce overfeeding
o Cuts costs of food
o Reduces nutrient buildup
o Helps maintain D.O. levels
• Polyculture/Aquaponics
o Utilizes natural foods efficiently
o But is it possible large-scale?

18. Sustainability of Aquaculture Cont.
• Grow vegetarian fish & feed vegetarian food LINK
• Closed Loop/Recirculating Systems
o Addresses: Water needs, outfall pollution
o Increase costs with expensive and complex filtration systems

19. Sustainability of Aquaculture Cont.
• Avoid overstocking
o Reduced stress
o Reduced disease/pathogen outbreak
• Minimize antibiotic use
• Sell and Buy Locally
o Reduce transportation footprint
• Stock native species
o Temperature requirements

20. What can
you do?
• Make ocean-friendly
seafood choices
o Avoid unsustainable seafood
in the grocery store or
restaurants
o Ask, where your seafood
came from!
o Try to eat locally grown
seafood (Regional)
o Spread the word!

21. Questions?
Jenny Oakley
oakley@uhcl.edu

22. Dichotomous Key