Aquaculture: How Much Seafood is Produced by Aquaculture?

Aquaculture is also known as aquafarming, describing the breeding, raising, and harvesting of aquatic plants, fish, and shellfish—farming in water. U.S. aquaculture helps to rebuild species that have been overfished and are currently threatened or endangered. It also creates an environmentally responsible source of food and commercial products. The demand for seafood continues to increase, making it essential to develop technology that allows us to “grow” seafood in the open ocean, as well as along coastal marine waters.

Aquaculture—Freshwater or Marine

Aquaculture can be freshwater or marine. Oysters, clams, shrimp, mussels, seaweed, and fish like pompano, yellowtail, sablefish, salmon, and black sea bass are all produced through marine aquaculture. Shellfish aquaculture is typically accomplished in ocean cages, or by “seeding” small shellfish. Marine fish farming may be done in tanks on land or in net pens in the water. Catfish and trout are produced using freshwater aquaculture practices which take place in man-made systems or in ponds. The goal of aquaculture is to produce seafood that is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable.

Creating Year-Round Jobs While Enhancing Coastal Resilience

Marine aquaculture, as well as farmed seafood, not only supports the seafood needs of our nation but also creates year-round jobs while enhancing coastal resilience and rebuilding protected habitats and species. Most people are surprised to know that across the globe more than 50 percent of all seafood produced for human consumption is dependent on aquaculture.

Global Consumption of Seafood Doubled Over Past 50 Years

Even if you are a seafood lover, you probably don’t realize just how much seafood is consumed by humans across the globe. In fact, the worldwide consumption of shellfish and fish has more than doubled over the past five decades. It is estimated the world will need as much as 40 million more tons of seafood in 2030—less than ten years from now.

Aquaculture—The Fastest-Growing Food Sector in the World

Aquaculture is truly the fastest-growing food sector in the world, dating back thousands of years but only recently becoming an essential element of the global food system. It is calculated that marine aquacultures across the globe could easily produce as much seafood as every single wild marine fishery in the world—using less than 0.015 percent of the space in the oceans.

How Flake Ice is Involved in Aquaculture

The Ancient Chinese utilized natural ice to preserve fish more than three thousand years ago, while the Ancient Romans used natural ice mixed with seaweed. Once mechanical refrigeration came into being, ice became more readily available for use in fish preservation. By quickly reducing the temperature of the fish, the growth of pathogenic micro-organisms is vastly reduced, in turn reducing the spoilage rage and virtually eliminating most safety risks.

Flake ice, in particular, has a significant cooling capacity with lower amounts of ice. Flake ice is also a portable cooling method that can be easily stored and transported, while distributed uniformly around the fish. For over 100 years, Howe has been the global leader, continuing to be the best choice for flake ice and refrigeration equipment. We are committed to aquaculture and are tightly integrated into the entire food industry. Depend on Howe for all your ice and refrigeration needs.

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