* Provides food: Aquaculture is a major source of food for people around the world. In 2020, aquaculture produced nearly 120 million tonnes of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and seaweed, which accounted for approximately 20% of all global seafood production. This helped to meet the increasing demand for seafood while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
* Creates jobs: Aquaculture is a labour-intensive industry that creates jobs in both rural and urban areas. In 2020, aquaculture employed approximately 20 million people worldwide, with the majority of these jobs being in developing countries.
* Boosts economies: Aquaculture is a significant contributor to many countries' economies. In 2020, the global aquaculture industry was worth an estimated \$263 billion. This included the value of aquaculture products sold, as well as the value of jobs created and taxes paid.
* Improves food security: Aquaculture can help to improve food security by providing a reliable source of food for people living in remote or disaster-prone areas. This is especially important in developing countries, where hunger and malnutrition are significant problems.
* Reduces pressure on wild fish stocks: By farming fish and other aquatic organisms, aquaculture can help to reduce pressure on wild fish stocks. This is important for maintaining the health of marine ecosystems and ensuring that future generations have access to seafood.
Negative effects of aquaculture
* Pollution: Aquaculture can pollute the environment when fish waste and uneaten feed accumulate in the water. This can lead to algal blooms, which can harm water quality and kill fish.
* Disease: Aquaculture can spread disease to wild fish and other aquatic organisms. This is a particular problem for open-net fish farms, which allow fish to come into contact with wild fish.
* Habitat destruction: Aquaculture can destroy or damage marine habitats, such as coral reefs and mangrove forests. This can harm the organisms that live in these habitats and reduce the ability of these habitats to provide food and shelter.
* Selective breeding: Selective breeding can lead to fish that are genetically less diverse than wild fish, which can make them more susceptible to disease and other problems.
* Competition for resources: Aquaculture can compete with other industries for resources, such as water, land, and feed. This can lead to conflicts between aquaculture farmers and other stakeholders.
Overall, aquaculture has both positive and negative effects on people. It is important to weigh the benefits and risks of aquaculture before making any decisions about whether or not to promote this industry.