Tell Me About: Aquaculture

What is Aquaculture?

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry that involves raising, breeding, and harvesting aquatic organisms for various uses, from recreational to commercial. In Florida, aquaculture is extremely common, with over 1500 species cultivated in around 1000 aquaculture farms. This can involve marine and freshwater species and environments, including fish, aquatic plants, shellfish, crustaceans, aquatic reptiles, and amphibians.

There are two primary methods for aquaculture: fish farming in the natural environment and fish farming in onshore tanks. Both methods have pros and cons and are more suitable for specific environments. Fish farming in natural environments is typical for freshwater ecosystems, while onshore tanks/pens are typical for marine ecosystems.

History of aquaculture:

For at least three thousand years, aquaculture has been a part of human societies. The history of aquaculture can be traced back to China, where they started small carp ponds. This small-scale practice rapidly began to grow after World War II and is now considered to be the world’s fastest-growing food production system.

In Florida, aquaculture has been around since the first oyster clutch planting in the 1880s. Then in the late 1900s, large-scale aquaculture farms became prevalent, particularly with alligators and ornamental species. With agriculture developments underway, policies were established to help protect and guide aquaculture. This is especially important, considering aquaculture has increased 400% globally since the 1990s and is projected to continue growing.

Why it matters

Florida is prime real estate for aquaculture facilities, as it has a subtropical climate and the second largest coastline in the US. Although not the primary aquaculture state in terms of revenue, Florida is the primary producer of tropical fish, accounting for 95% of these sales in the US. Aquaculture is helping to create a more sustainable Earth with a global growth of facilities, especially in areas like Florida.

Here are some ways that aquaculture can benefit Florida’s natural environment and development:

Food production and economic growth

Aquascapes for aquariums and zoos
Restoring threatened and endangered species habitats and populations
Boosting wild stock populations

On the flip side, if aquaculture is not regulated, there can be detrimental consequences. These challenges include:

Water pollution from nutrient discharge and chemical use

Ecosystem destruction, particularly in the mangrove forests of Florida

Possible release of invasive or non-native species during climate events

Spread of disease from captive to wild populations

Aquaculture facilities have varying impacts on the environment, such as the type of aquaculture chambers used, their locations, and more. But in general, the larger the aquaculture facility, the greater the impact.

What you can do

The success of aquaculture depends on the public. So, take a moment to educate yourself on the topic, and use the following resources to learn about the benefits of a sustainable aquaculture system in Florida: