Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquaculture

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors globally and is becoming increasingly important for producing sustainable and healthy diets with relatively low climate impacts. In comparison to livestock production, especially beef, seafood production has lower carbon emissions. Addit...

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Main Authors: Zhimin Zhang, Haokun Liu, Junyan Jin, Xiaoming Zhu, Dong Han, Shouqi Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. 2024-10-01
Series:Water Biology and Security
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772735124000556
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author Zhimin Zhang
Haokun Liu
Junyan Jin
Xiaoming Zhu
Dong Han
Shouqi Xie
author_facet Zhimin Zhang
Haokun Liu
Junyan Jin
Xiaoming Zhu
Dong Han
Shouqi Xie
author_sort Zhimin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors globally and is becoming increasingly important for producing sustainable and healthy diets with relatively low climate impacts. In comparison to livestock production, especially beef, seafood production has lower carbon emissions. Additionally, some species can extract carbon from aquatic environments, contributing to an extended carbon cycle. However, the potential for negative environmental consequences in aquaculture production might increase with the growing global population and demand for aquatic food. Herein, we review the environmental consequences of aquaculture production and the potential effects of different aquatic products on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We also summarize approaches to improving environmental footprints for mitigating global climate change. Key elements, including improving feed efficiency, selecting suitable farmed species, and implementing sustainable farming practices and management in aquaculture, are discussed, as well as the trade-offs between aquaculture and capture fisheries. Crucially, performance gaps among farmed species underscore the potential for consumer-oriented advice to significantly reduce the effects of aquaculture on climate change. However, uncertainties and knowledge gaps related to carbon sequestration and GHG emissions in aquaculture ponds necessitate further research. Overall, holistic evaluation and strategic intervention regarding GHG emissions are fundamental and essential for achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future for aquaculture.
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publishDate 2024-10-01
publisher KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.
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series Water Biology and Security
spelling doaj-art-d29bed5ceb4c4c109c65677c1d9fc7612025-08-20T02:17:37ZengKeAi Communications Co. Ltd.Water Biology and Security2772-73512024-10-013410029010.1016/j.watbs.2024.100290Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquacultureZhimin Zhang0Haokun Liu1Junyan Jin2Xiaoming Zhu3Dong Han4Shouqi Xie5Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Hubei Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animal Nutrition and Feed, Wuhan 430072, ChinaKey Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; Corresponding author. Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors globally and is becoming increasingly important for producing sustainable and healthy diets with relatively low climate impacts. In comparison to livestock production, especially beef, seafood production has lower carbon emissions. Additionally, some species can extract carbon from aquatic environments, contributing to an extended carbon cycle. However, the potential for negative environmental consequences in aquaculture production might increase with the growing global population and demand for aquatic food. Herein, we review the environmental consequences of aquaculture production and the potential effects of different aquatic products on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We also summarize approaches to improving environmental footprints for mitigating global climate change. Key elements, including improving feed efficiency, selecting suitable farmed species, and implementing sustainable farming practices and management in aquaculture, are discussed, as well as the trade-offs between aquaculture and capture fisheries. Crucially, performance gaps among farmed species underscore the potential for consumer-oriented advice to significantly reduce the effects of aquaculture on climate change. However, uncertainties and knowledge gaps related to carbon sequestration and GHG emissions in aquaculture ponds necessitate further research. Overall, holistic evaluation and strategic intervention regarding GHG emissions are fundamental and essential for achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future for aquaculture.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772735124000556Aquatic productsLow-carbon footprintsGHG emissionsAquacultureFisheries
spellingShingle Zhimin Zhang
Haokun Liu
Junyan Jin
Xiaoming Zhu
Dong Han
Shouqi Xie
Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquaculture
Water Biology and Security
Aquatic products
Low-carbon footprints
GHG emissions
Aquaculture
Fisheries
title Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquaculture
title_full Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquaculture
title_fullStr Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquaculture
title_full_unstemmed Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquaculture
title_short Towards a low-carbon footprint: Current status and prospects for aquaculture
title_sort towards a low carbon footprint current status and prospects for aquaculture
topic Aquatic products
Low-carbon footprints
GHG emissions
Aquaculture
Fisheries
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772735124000556
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AT xiaomingzhu towardsalowcarbonfootprintcurrentstatusandprospectsforaquaculture
AT donghan towardsalowcarbonfootprintcurrentstatusandprospectsforaquaculture
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