Blue Frontiers : Managing the environmental costs of aquaculture

 

Summary
Understanding and quantifying the environmental impacts of aquaculture is essential for sound decision making. Using information about environmental impact, policy-makers can establish evidence-based and fair environmental regulations. Fish farmers can understand and comply with environmental regulations while implementing good management practices. Development and environmental organizations need it to guide their strategies and actions while retailers and consumers need it to make informed choices and drive appropriate policy and farming practices.

 

In the very near future...
BLUE FRONTIERS: Managing the environmental costs of  aquaculture provides a global picture of aquaculture production. In the very near future the authors of the report will share on this site the datasets for the 75 unique production elements modeled in the study. You will have the opportunity to explore data by species group, country, production system or habitat. Each datasheet is further divided into data obtained on intensity of production, environmental services, fertilizer use, feed use and emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus.

As accurate data on aquaculture in developing countries are still lacking, our aim is to foster dialogue between researchers, scientists, policy makers, private operators and others through this open ‘platform’. It is a chance for all to submit comments and revised data and improve our common knowledge on the environmental cost of aquaculture, helping improve our life cycle analysis of aquaculture commodities in the future, and developing better aquaculture management strategies.

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WorldFish is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. WorldFish is one of 15 members of the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers supported by the CGIAR. The CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for sustainable development with the funders of this work. The funders include developing and industrialized country governments, foundations, and international and regional organizations. WorldFish is committed to meeting two key development challenges: 1) improving the livelihoods of those who are especially poor and vulnerable in places where fisheries and aquaculture can make a difference and 2) achieving large scale, environmentally sustainable increases in supply and access to fish at affordable prices for poor consumers in developing countries.

Conservation International - Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the long term well-being of people. Founded in 1987, CI has headquarters in the Washington, DC area, and nearly 900 employees working in more than 30 countries on four continents, plus 1,000+ partners around the world. For more information, visit www.conservation.org, and follow us on Twitter: @ConservationOrg

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