Is aquaculture sustainable: An in-depth look
As the global population approaches 10 billion, the demand for sustainable protein is accelerating. Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic plants and animals, now supplies over half the seafood consumed globally, making it the fastest-growing food sector in the world.
But is aquaculture truly sustainable? Let’s unpack the challenges and innovations shaping its future.
What is sustainable aquaculture?
Sustainable aquaculture is: The production of aquatic organisms (marine animals and aquatic plants) in a way that meets current food needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
It balances three pillars:
- Environmental: Protects water quality and habitats through waste management and ecosystem-based practices.
- Economic: Promotes profitability and resource efficiency while stabilising supply and consumer costs.
- Social: Ensures fair labour, supports communities, and improves food access.
RELATED: The Australian prawn farm raising the bar for sustainable aquaculture
Aquaculture and sustainability challenges
Here are six sustainability challenges currently impacting the growth of the aquaculture sector, and how the industry is responding:
Habitat destruction and pollution
The conversion of sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands and mangrove forests, can damage critical biodiversity hotspots. In the last 50 years, 20% to 35% of mangroves have been lost globally, with over half due to aquaculture.
Poor waste-management practices can result in excess feed, waste and production inputs (such as antibiotics and disinfectants) being discharged into waterways.
Industry is responding:
Queensland Government’s Aquaculture Development Areas (ADAs) reduce the environmental impact of marine aquaculture by directing land-based systems away from ecologically sensitive areas.
Disruption of natural ecosystems
When farmed fish escape from marine-based aquaculture facilities, they enter natural ecosystems. These escaped species compete with wild fish for food and habitat, potentially spreading disease or interbreeding with native populations.
Industry is responding:
The Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Translocation Protocol for Commercial Freshwater Open Aquaculture Systems outlines risk assessments, containment strategies, and monitoring requirements to minimise aquaculture’s impact on native ecosystems.
Disease outbreaks
Disease is a major constraint to global aquaculture production. Fish, like all farmed animals, are susceptible to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. The risk increases in aquaculture operations, where high stocking densities can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases.
Industry is responding:
Australia’s National Biosecurity Plan Guidelines for Farmed Freshwater Native Finfish provides national standards for disease prevention and outbreak response. Co-developed by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the guidelines provide freshwater aquaculture producers tools to create a tailored farm biosecurity plan.
Overuse of wild fish for feedstock
Many carnivorous aquaculture species are fed fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild fisheries. This reliance contributes to overfishing pressure on marine ecosystems, and undermines the sustainability impact of aquaculture.
Industry is responding:
Ridley Corporation, Australia’s largest provider of aquafeed, has developed innovative feed solutions that incorporate a microbial biomass ingredient developed by CSIRO, reducing reliance on wild-caught fish.
Social, labour, and community impacts
Supporting its rapid growth, aquaculture employs over 20 million people worldwide. But in regions with limited labour protections, workers may face poor working conditions and the added challenge of occupational risks such as exposure to hazardous chemicals, pathogens, and physical hazards such as heavy equipment and machinery.
Industry is responding:
The Northern Territory’s Garngirr Fishing Aboriginal Corporation is enhancing Indigenous participation in fisheries management, providing employment opportunities, supporting traditional practices, and strengthening community engagement in sustainable aquaculture.
Regulatory gaps and inconsistent standards
Regulatory standards for aquaculture, covering water quality, effluent treatment, species selection, and labour rights, vary greatly across jurisdictions – limiting the sector’s sustainability impact.
Industry is responding:
Australia is considered a global leader in sustainable aquaculture regulation, with its National Aquaculture Strategy promoting cross-jurisdictional consistency. Independent global certification schemes, such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), are increasingly adopted by Australian producers to demonstrate compliance with international best practice.
How to make aquaculture sustainable
The good news? With innovation, regulation, and best practice, aquaculture can grow sustainably. Here’s how startups, researchers, and aquaculture producers are minimising aquaculture’s footprint, while enhancing productivity.
Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture mimics natural ecosystems by cultivating different species together, such as fish and seaweed. The by-products of one species become inputs for another, reducing waste, improving water quality, and diversifying farm output
EcoSystem Farms has pioneered a soilless farming platform that symbiotically integrates aquaculture with agriculture – boosting yields across both.
Optimise fish feeding process
Australian company, Goterra uses black soldier fly larvae to convert food waste into high-quality protein, offering a sustainable feed option that reduces reliance on wild fish stocks while also addressing the growing challenge of food waste.
Avoid invasive species
Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species is a critical component of sustainable aquaculture. In Australia, the focus has been on cultivating native species such as barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), which pose less risk to native ecosystems if escapes occur.
MainStream Aquaculture uses land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to farm barramundi. These closed-loop systems provide precise control over water quality and fish health, minimising disease outbreaks and eliminating the potential for fish escape.
Monitoring and managing water quality
Real-time monitoring powered by IoT sensors and AI platforms allows aquaculture producers to respond quickly to environmental changes and keep water quality within safe thresholds.
Platforms like AquaWatch Australia, led by CSIRO, integrates satellite and in-water sensor data with AI to provide near-real-time water quality monitoring and forecasts, enabling proactive measures to protect aquatic health and productivity
Encouraging certification and transparency
Growing consumer demand for sustainability and transparency of food production is driving innovation in responsible fishing, sustainable packaging and end-to-end traceability.
Certification programs like Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) are raising the standard, while track and trace tags, like those developed by Escavox, use real-time data to monitor product freshness and supply chain integrity, building trust from pond to plate.
Shaping a sustainable future for aquaculture
Aquaculture can play a big role in helping to feed the future – but its expansion must be scaled responsibly. From advancements in water quality to recirculating aquaculture systems, the industry is actively embracing solutions that minimise environmental impact while enhancing efficiency.
Discover more about sustainable aquaculture, cutting-edge innovations, and future-forward food solutions by visiting evokeAG’s news and insights page.