WorldFish research program: Sustainable aquaculture

Research programSustainable aquaculture

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food-production sector in the world, now supplying half of the fish consumed globally

Challenges •Rapid growth•Low production efficiency•Diseases and pollution •Dependence on wild stocks and fish-based feed•Gender inequities

Rapid growthAquaculture currently provides around half of the fish consumed globally and is projected to grow from 74 million tons in 2014 to 93.2 million tons by 2030

Low production efficiency Doubling aquaculture production without further increasing the industry’s efficiency could lead to a doubling of environmental impacts

DiseasesFish disease is a threat to aquaculture growth with more than USD 6 billion lost each year globally due to the problem

Pollution Poor water quality management and high stocking densities lead to fish disease outbreaks and low level losses that lead to declines in farm productivity. Discharge of intensive pond effluent can threaten water quality in surrounding waters.

Dependence on wild stocksAquaculture often depends on wild or unselected stock, precluding the possibility of production gains by selective breeding and increasing the risk of disease

Dependence on fish-based feed Every year 20-30 million metric tons of fish, one third of the global fish catch, are used to produce fishmeal and fish oils for aquaculture feeds

Research needs

• Fish genetics and breeding• Fish health• Sustainable fish feeds• Low environmental impact systems• Gender equitable distribution of

economic and nutritional benefits

Sustainable aquaculture research contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

• Reducing poverty

• Increasing food security

• Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

Cross cutting themes

EntrepreneurshipClimate Change Gender Equity

Research Programs

Sustainable aquaculture

Impacts and innovation by 2022: Improved and resilient tilapia and carp breeds 1.5 million households have access to/use our improved tilapia and carp seed. Improved productivity of tilapia aquaculture by 10% in focal countries.

Impacts and innovation by 2022: Integrated breeds/health/feeds farming systems 2.5 million households adopt disease detection and control strategies, cost-effective and sustainable aquafeeds and/or improved aquaculture systems/management practices

Impacts and innovation by 2022: Sustainable African aquaculture growth Strengthen policies, technologies and investments that support sustainable aquaculture growth in Africa

Impacts and innovation by 2022: Smallholder participation and gender-equitable poverty impactsImproved livelihood opportunities resulting from increased aquaculture production, value chains enterprises and investments in focal and scaling countries, for 2.3 million poor men, women and youth

Impacts and innovation by 2022: Global science capability Sustained increase in research innovation, quality science and impacts from our partners and research networks in Africa, Asia and the Pacific

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