AquaWales
Minimising the Impacts of Intensive Aquaculture in the Face of Climate Change
Worldwide Demand for Fish
Worldwide demand for fish and shellfish has increased 9% annually over the last few decades and is expected to reach c. 180 million tons by 2015, most of which will have to come from farmed fish, as the majority of wild fisheries are either stagnant or grossly over-exploited.
Welsh Fisheries
To meet global food security demands in a sustainable way, aquaculture needs to diversify and to step-up the domestication of aquatic species: less food, less space, and less water and warmer temperatures.
Fisheries in Wales contribute approximately £30 million/year to rural and coastal economies, and the aim is to double aquaculture production by 2020.
Challenges for Aquaculture
The main challenges faced by intensive aquaculture are:
(a) To reduce its ecological footprint,
(b) To reduce the risk of disease transmission
(c) To control the inadvertent introduction of invasive species
Academic & Industry Partners
