Global hotspots for finfish aquaculture (N= 120). The colored areas depict the locations that have potentially suitable growing conditions for marine aquaculture and were not excluded due to the conflicting uses included in the analysis. Red signifies areas with the highest potential productivity. See publications for more information.
|
Using an innovative modeling approach that draws from physiology, allometry, and growth theory for 180 cultivated species, we mapped the offshore potential for mariculture in the oceans. We found nearly every coastal country has suitable area and that use of less than 1% of the best locations could produce over 100 million metric tonnes of finfish - greater than all wild fisheries catches. As a result, the marine footprint, thus impact, of aquaculture can be significantly smaller than other animal food systems, and importantly, not conflict with other conservation objectives (e.g., protecting 30% of the oceans).
|