A recent study published in the journal Aquaculture has raised concerns about the lack of species diversity in global aquaculture production, posing potential risks to the industry and global food security, particularly in the face of a changing climate and the persistent threat of diseases.
Conducted by scientists from The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, and the University of Hawaii, the study analysed aquaculture species diversification at the global, regional, and national levels. The researchers discovered that, despite high species diversity globally, there is generally low diversity at the national level.
The research covered a period of seven decades, from 1950 to 2020, with a specific focus on the years 1990 to 2020, utilizing aquaculture production statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Global Aquaculture Production Statistics 1950–2020 (FAO 2022).
In 2020, global aquaculture production reached 123 million metric tons, involving 448 different species. However, the concentration of production was strikingly low, with only 46 species contributing to 90 percent of the total production. Within this group, a mere 10 species accounted for roughly half of the entire production. This concentration pattern contrasts sharply with global crop production, where two-thirds come from 10 plant species, and terrestrial animal production relies on a limited number of species.
Dr. Junning Cai, aquaculture officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization and lead author of the study, emphasized the challenges of cultivating species diversity in aquaculture. The research highlighted that diversification has lost momentum in recent decades, with concentration becoming a dominant trend, similar to terrestrial farming practices. Successful diversification, according to Dr. Cai, is a gradual process influenced by consumer preferences, technological breakthroughs, and institutional arrangements.
The study also addressed the crucial role of species diversification in enhancing the resilience of the aquaculture sector against climate change, disease outbreaks, market fluctuations, and other disturbances. While diversification has been recognized as a strategy for sustainable aquaculture development, the study noted that attempts to promote new species have faced hurdles such as technical difficulties, limited markets, and institutional constraints.
The researchers urged decision-makers in the aquaculture sector to understand the complexities of diversification dynamics and create an environment conducive to both growth and diversity. They emphasized the need for in-depth case studies to inform evidence-based policymaking and effective management of the sector in the pursuit of sustainable aquaculture development.
