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When it comes to climate change, lots of vegans and vegetarians would argue that the biggest culprits are the meat and dairy industries.
Instead, most of the fish we eat is grown through aquatic farming, or “aquaculture.” And unfortunately, this industry exhibits many of the same issues as meat and dairy farming.
Wild fish supplies simply wouldn’t be enough: studies show that 33% of wild fisheries are overfished and 60% are being fished at their maximum capacity.
Indeed, lots of non-meat eaters cite sustainability as the main reason that they abstain from indulging in steaks, burgers, spaghetti bolognese, etc.
And yet many people forget, or don’t even realize in the first place, that the majority of the fish and seafood we consume is not caught in the wild.
One of the more common aquatic farming methods can be seen off the coasts of Norway and Chile. It involves offshore pens made of nets, in which the fish are cultivated.
Fish and seafood are often seen as a more sustainable option; the fish industry does not have the same reputation as an evil climate polluter.
As with much industrially-farmed fauna, the fish grown in these pens occupy a (very) cramped space and produce a huge amount of waste.
The waste that the fish produce is responsible for polluting the surrounding areas and may even spread disease to the neighboring wild species.
The antibiotics used to treat the fish are also partially excreted back into the ocean, thus harming the surrounding environment even further.
Another problem is that the nets are susceptible to break, thus releasing huge numbers of fish into the ocean who compete for resources with their wild cousins.
Another aquaculture technique is man-made coastal ponds. These are common in southeast Asia, where they are often used for shrimp-farming.
On a good day, mangroves and marshes protect coastal areas from storms, provide habitats for local species, and absorb lots of greenhouse gases.
But just like net pens, these ponds are known to spread pollution and disease. What's more, in building these ponds important ecosystems, such as mangroves and marshes, are often destroyed.
One way to tackle the problems associated with net pens and coastal ponds is to farm fish fully on land in systems that are completely contained.
These systems are able to filter and recirculate water in a way that prevents pollution. However, fully-contained facilities are far from a perfect solution.
There is no getting away from the fact that many inland-farmed fish consume large amounts of other fish, thus contributing to overfishing.
This wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the fact that the fish who break free go on to disrupt ecosystems and even pollute gene pools because they are adapted for captivity.
One option involves looking at species lower on the food chain. We may be able to use the ocean’s natural resources to produce huge amounts of shellfish and seaweed.
Until researchers are able to develop a plant of insect-based fishmeal, this will continue to be a disadvantage of fully-contained fish farming facilities.
Both species even improve water quality naturally: they filter it as they feed on sunlight and the nutrients that are already present in the sea water.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Researchers are actively looking into ways that we can farm the oceans safely and sustainably.
This would negate the need to raise and feed heaps of meat-eating fish, since shellfish and seaweed do not need to be fed at all.
Moving towards this type of underwater farming would provide jobs and would encourage a healthy plant and shellfish-based diet that has a low carbon footprint.
These farms have the added benefits of extracting CO2 by photosynthesis, de-acidifying ocean water, and providing optimum habitats for other species.
If the right distribution network is established, a collection of these small farms, which are already cropping up in different places around the world, could feed the planet.
Underwater farming may be problematic at the moment, but things are moving in the right direction and soon aquaculture may be a key player in the fight against climate change.
Sources: (TED-Ed)
See also: Floating gardens: Bangladesh's answer to climate change
Studies show that in just five months, a 4000m2 farm can produce 25 tonnes of seaweed and 250,000 shellfish.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that meat and dairy farming is bad for the planet. While some farming methods are more sustainable than others, there's no getting away from the fact that the industry has a hefty carbon footprint. Many people choose to eat fish only, as there is a general perception that fish farming is a more sustainable option. However, we often forget that, as it stands at least, aquatic farming is riddled with the same issues as meat and dairy farming.
With the work of innovative fish farmers and researchers, however, that all may be about to change. Check out this gallery to learn how underwater farming may help to combat climate change.
Underwater farms: a new hope for combating climate change?
The planet-saving potential of fish farming
LIFESTYLE Environment
It is a truth universally acknowledged that meat and dairy farming is bad for the planet. While some farming methods are more sustainable than others, there's no getting away from the fact that the industry has a hefty carbon footprint. Many people choose to eat fish only, as there is a general perception that fish farming is a more sustainable option. However, we often forget that, as it stands at least, aquatic farming is riddled with the same issues as meat and dairy farming.
With the work of innovative fish farmers and researchers, however, that all may be about to change. Check out this gallery to learn how underwater farming may help to combat climate change.