What is a primary goal of sustainable aquaculture?

The primary goal of sustainable aquaculture is to minimize environmental impact. This approach ensures that aquaculture practices do not harm ecosystems, biodiversity, or water quality and that they promote healthy fish populations. Sustainable aquaculture focuses on practices that allow for continuous fish production without depleting or damaging natural resources. This goal is essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting long-term aquaculture productivity.

Maximizing profit alone does not take into consideration the ecological ramifications of aquaculture practices. Ensuring the highest fish stocking densities may lead to overcrowding, which can degrade water quality and increase the risk of diseases across fish populations. Using chemicals abundantly can have serious adverse effects on the environment, including pollution and negative impacts on non-target species. Thus, sustainable aquaculture prioritizes reducing negative environmental consequences while still providing for the growing demand for aquatic food resources.