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 The global fish farming industry has grown substantially over the last 15 years (Table 1). While the potential for capture fisheries productions seems to have reached its maximum, there is a vast potential for expansion in aquaculture production. Out of the total global seafood production in 2004 of 140 million tonnes, aquaculture production represented approximately 32 percent (FAO). Conventional fisheries are threatened by over-exploitation and increasing costs, the expanding aquaculture is therefore representing a cost-effective and sustainable way to solve the growing world population's demand for animal protein.
Aquaculture productions are in fact the world's fastest growing food production industry, with an average annual growth rate of 8% from 1950 to 2004 (FAO). Thus aquaculture has developed dramatically and is currently accounting for approximately 38% of the total world supply of fish and aquatic products.
Although most of the aquaculture production originates from extensive production in Asia, intensive farming of high value fish species has evolved rapidly and key development trends indicate that the sector will continue to intensify and diversify (FAO).
Despite the growth in aquaculture productions, only a marginal proportion of the current world production is based on genetically improved stocks. This is opposite to the situation in domestic livestock productions, although the prospects for genetic improvement in aquaculture species are even more promising than in domestic animals. This is mainly due to higher reproduction capacity (fecundity) and the presence of larger genetic variation. |
