Underwater farms vs. climate change - Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Megan Davis

TED-Ed
13 Jun 201904:31

Summary

TLDRSeafood, a crucial protein source for 3 billion, faces overfishing with 33% of wild fisheries overexploited. Aquaculture, growing at 5.8% annually, presents both environmental challenges and sustainable opportunities. Traditional methods like net pens and coastal ponds contribute to pollution and disease, while innovative approaches like land-based farms and low-impact shellfish and seaweed farming offer solutions. These restorative methods not only combat climate change but also support coastal economies and sustainable diets with minimal carbon footprints.

Takeaways

  • 🌍 Seafood is a crucial protein source for 3 billion people worldwide.
  • 🐟 33% of wild fisheries are overfished, and 60% are fished at maximum capacity.
  • 🦐 More than half of the seafood we consume is farmed through aquaculture.
  • 📈 Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food industries, expanding 5.8% annually.
  • 🐠 Common aquaculture methods include large net pens, which can lead to environmental issues like pollution and disease.
  • 💊 Antibiotics used in aquaculture can contribute to environmental pollution and antibiotic resistance.
  • 🌱 Coastal pond farming, like those for shrimp, can destroy ecosystems and spread disease.
  • 🏞️ On-land farming in contained systems can help reduce pollution but still faces challenges like fishmeal sourcing.
  • 🌿 Focusing on lower trophic level species like shellfish and seaweed can offer a more sustainable approach to aquaculture.
  • 🌱 Seaweed and shellfish farming can improve water quality, combat climate change, and create habitats for other species.
  • 🌱 A small-scale, distributed network of ocean farms could potentially feed the world sustainably.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of seafood as a source of protein and nutrition globally?

    -Seafood is a significant source of protein and nutrition for 3 billion people around the world, highlighting its importance in global diets.

  • What percentage of wild fisheries are currently overfished according to recent studies?

    -Recent studies show that 33% of wild fisheries are overfished, indicating a significant strain on natural fish populations.

  • What is the percentage of seafood that is not caught in the wild but grown through aquaculture?

    -Over half of the seafood we eat, including finfish, shellfish, seaweed, and algae, is not caught in the wild but is grown through aquaculture.

  • How fast is the aquaculture industry growing in terms of volume?

    -The aquaculture industry is expanding rapidly, with a growth rate of 5.8% in volume each year.

  • What are the common environmental issues associated with large net pen aquaculture?

    -Large net pen aquaculture is associated with environmental issues such as overcrowding, waste pollution, disease spread, and the use of antibiotics that can harm the local ecosystem.

  • How do escaped fish from net pen farms impact local ecosystems?

    -Escaped fish from net pen farms can compete for resources, weaken the local gene pool with captivity-adapted genes, and even become invasive species, disrupting local ecosystems.

  • What are the environmental consequences of man-made coastal ponds used for shrimp farming?

    -Man-made coastal ponds for shrimp farming can lead to pollution, disease spread, and the destruction of important ecosystems like mangroves and marshes.

  • How do land-based fish farming systems address the issue of water pollution?

    -Land-based fish farming systems, such as tanks and raceways, can recirculate and filter water to prevent pollution, addressing one of the major environmental concerns of aquaculture.

  • What is the role of fishmeal in aquaculture, and what are the challenges associated with it?

    -Fishmeal, made from about 10% of the global seafood catch, is used to feed carnivorous farmed fish. However, it contributes to overfishing and presents a challenge for sustainable aquaculture.

  • What alternative solutions are being explored to reduce the dependency on fishmeal in aquaculture?

    -Researchers are exploring alternative fish feeds made from insects and plant-based proteins to reduce the dependency on fishmeal and promote more sustainable aquaculture practices.

  • How can shellfish and seaweed farming contribute to a sustainable and regenerative ocean farming system?

    -Shellfish and seaweed farming can contribute to a sustainable system by not requiring feeding, naturally improving water quality, absorbing carbon through photosynthesis, and creating habitats for other species.

  • What is the potential of restorative ocean farming in terms of food production and its environmental impact?

    -Restorative ocean farming has the potential to produce substantial amounts of food with a low carbon footprint and can help combat climate change, reduce ocean acidification, and support coastal communities.

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Related Tags
Sustainable FarmingOcean EcosystemsAquacultureOverfishingEnvironmental ImpactSeafood NutritionClimate ChangeInnovative SolutionsShellfishSeaweed