The Future is Bright for Global Aquaculture
The United Nations’ most recent biennial publication, State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018, provides a reasonably accurate portrayal of the status of global fisheries stocks and the growing aquaculture sector.
What is more, it provides a critical look at the major issues surrounding fisheries and aquaculture and highlights efforts to improve on these industry warts, as I like to call them.
Here are some highlights from the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018 report, ...
A Glance at Aquaculture and Fisheries Co-operative Business Models
Co-operatives are particularly well-suited as a business model in smaller communities where aquaculture or fisheries are taking place, so that the maximum number of residents in those communities can benefit.
The advantages of such organizations, when well-structured and managed, are that they respond to members’ needs, focusing on enhancing production and incomes of members, through innovation, best practices and market access.
Most readers will be familiar with credit unions (financ...
Sea Vegetables, Seaweed Pie and Opportunities in Canada
Marine macroalgae or “seaweeds” are found in products used daily by Canadians and around the world.
Toothpaste, for example, often contains a gelling agent extracted from seaweed (e.g. guar gum) that gives it its smooth consistency and keeps the cleaning components of the paste well dispersed and stabilized. A seaweed extract (e.g. alginate) also keeps the lemon filling in meringue pies smooth and firm. In general, seaweeds are considered a “superfood” and have numerous uses that are ...
Fishing and Farming the Seas
Historical Perspective and Future Prospects on Sustainable Seafood Production
“We must plant the sea and herd its animals using the sea as farmers instead of hunters. That is what civilization is all about — farming replacing hunting” — a quote from the famous oceans explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau in the early 1970s.
Perhaps by then he had already begun to see the devastating effects industrial, large scale fishing vessels were having on our oceans ecosystems.
Fishing is indeed ...
Innovation is Crucial for Any Industry, Including Aquaculture
The quote, “innovation is the key to success” is one that successful fisheries or aquaculture industries can live by.
In order to address operational costs, farm site management concerns or even produce new and improved products, the industry is constantly innovating to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the global market place. Those that do not, are swallowed by other companies or perish, essentially at their own hand.
While there are many new innovations in aquacul...
Adapting to Climate Change in Fisheries and Aquaculture
The United Nations recognizes climate change as one of the greatest challenges to global food security this century. Both terrestrial and aquatic environments are changing as a result of increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides which result from the burning of fossil fuels and food production.
The agriculture and fishing industries are contributors to GHG emissions around the world, however, the good news is that the impact is much less than ...
