Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Major Role and Importance of Fish Farming

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
^*Correspondence: Shan Shang, Department of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China, Email:

Received: 13-May-2022, Manuscript No. JARD-22-17589; Editor assigned: 16-May-2022, Pre QC No. JARD-22-17589 (PQ); Reviewed: 30-May-2022, QC No. JARD-22-17589; Revised: 06-Jun-2022, Manuscript No. JARD-22-17589 (R); Published: 13-Jun-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2155-9546.22.13.683

Description

Fishing means either the breeding or harvesting of fish and other aquatic organisms, or more generally, the place where such business takes place also known as fishing grounds. Commercial fishing includes wild fisheries and storks, both in freshwater areas about 10% of total catch and in sea areas about 90%. About 500 million people worldwide are economically dependent on fishing. In 2016, 171 million tons of fish were produced, but overfishing is a serious problem and some populations are declining.

Due to its economic and social importance, the fisheries industry is subject to complex fisheries management practices and legal systems that vary widely from country to country. Historically, the fishing industry has been treated on a firstcome, first-served basis, but the recent threat of human overfishing and environmental problems has led to the need for a more rigorous approach to fisheries to prevent conflict and increase the profitable economic activity of the fishing industry. Regulation had to be tightened. Modern jurisdictions over fisheries are often determined by a combination of international treaties and local laws.

Declining fish stocks, marine pollution and the destruction of critical coastal ecosystems have increased concerns about important fisheries around the world and threatened economic and food security in many parts of the world. These challenges are compounded by changes in the oceans caused by climate change, which can extend the reach of some fisheries while significantly reducing the sustainability of other fisheries.

Advantages of fish farming

• Stable supply with fish.

• Relief for our wild aquatic animals.

• Waste reduction related to commercial fishing.

• Protection of habitats.

• Mitigation of the endangered species problem.

• May be necessary to feed our growing world population.

• Local income source for people who stay near the seas.

• Employment opportunities are at a high rate since the production of fish is high.

• Fish farming may mitigate the starvation issue.

• Supply with large amounts of omega-3.

Disadvantages of fish farming

• Use of antibiotics.

• Use of growth hormones.

• Genetic manipulation.

• Water pollution.

• Fish feed is partially made out of wild fish.

• Problems if farm fishes escape and breed with wild fish.

• Can be regarded to be unnatural.

• Conditions in fish farms are usually quite poor.

• The general public may not accept fish from aquaculture.

• Fish farming is quite inefficient.

• Ecosystems are altered.

• Pests in fish farms can spread to wild aquatic animals.

• Adverse health effects for humans.

• Regulations regarding fish farming vary across countries.

• The commercial fishing industry may suffer.

India is the third largest fish producer in the world and the second largest producer of farmed fish. India contributes about 7% to the world's fish production. The country is also home to over 10% of the world's fish biodiversity and is one of the 17 mega-biodiversity-rich countries. About 14 million people are engaged in fishing and related activities. Andhra Pradesh is the country's largest fish producer, followed by West Bengal and Gujarat. Total fish production in 2017-2018 is estimated at 12.6 million tons, of which about 70% comes from the inland sector and about 50% of total fish production comes from cultivated fisheries. More than 50 kinds of fish and shellfish products are exported to 75 countries around the world.