Question

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Global fish production has increased dramatically since 1950, and most of the increase has come from advances in aquaculture.

In 1–2 sentences, describe how aquaculture is practiced today in commercial fish farming.
In 1–2 sentences, explain why wild-catch fishing cannot meet seafood demand.
In 1–2 sentences, explain two negative effects of increased aquaculture.
In 1–2 sentences, identify one innovation in aquaculture and explain how it might mitigate a negative effect.

Answer 1

1) Today’s commercial aquaculture is largely intensive: fish are raised at high densities in ponds, net pens/cages or land-based recirculating systems, fed formulated diets, and managed with selective breeding, vaccination and chemical treatments to maximize growth and yield.

2) Wild-capture fisheries cannot meet demand because most ocean stocks are fully exploited or overfished and global catches have plateaued, while human population growth and rising per-capita seafood consumption keep increasing demand.

3) Two negative effects of expanded aquaculture are nutrient pollution and eutrophication from uneaten feed and fish waste, and the spread of disease, parasites and genetic introgression when farmed fish escape and interact with wild populations.

4) One innovation is integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), which co-cultures feed species with filter feeders (e.g., shellfish) and seaweeds that uptake waste nutrients—reducing pollution and improving overall system sustainability.