Aquaculture in the World

 Aquaculture has experienced significant growth globally over the past few decades, with production values consistently increasing. This sector has become a major contributor to global food production, particularly in meeting the protein needs of the population. Global trends indicate that the freshwater sector dominates global aquaculture production, accounting for 52.25% of total production in 2015. This suggests that freshwater aquaculture has great potential in meeting global food needs.

The freshwater sector includes the cultivation of freshwater fish such as catfish, carp, and tilapia. In terms of major producing countries, China dominates the global market with a total production value of USD 183,281 million, accounting for approximately 58.6% of global production. China has an advantage in aquaculture technology and adequate infrastructure to support this industry.

India ranks second with a production value of USD 17,232 million, focusing on the freshwater sector. Vietnam ranks third with a production value of USD 14,933 million, excelling in the brackishwater sector. Other Asian countries are also major producers of aquaculture products, with a balance between the brackishwater and freshwater sectors.

Strategic shifts in global aquaculture are also evident in the changing proportions of aquaculture in three types of aquatic environments: brackishwater, freshwater, and marine. The decline in the dominance of fish farming in brackishwater and the increasing contribution of the freshwater and marine sectors indicate that global aquaculture is undergoing significant changes.

This is due to the growing awareness of the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture practices. However, economic disparities are evident in the global aquaculture industry, with some countries dominating the global market. Developing countries need to focus on technological innovation and product diversification to increase their competitiveness in the global market.

In recent years, aquaculture has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in global food production. This is driven by the increasing demand for healthy and nutritious animal protein, as well as growing awareness of the importance of sustainable food consumption. Aquaculture also has great potential in improving the well-being of communities, particularly in developing countries.

Therefore, the expansion and development of aquaculture can be a way to improve community welfare and meet global food needs. Countries with rich natural resources can become major aquaculture producers by developing sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture industries. Thus, the expansion and development of aquaculture need to be done well and sustainably, with increased investment in aquaculture infrastructure, improved human resource quality, and promoted technological innovation to increase the competitiveness of this industry.