Which of the following best describes sustainability?

Sustainability is fundamentally about ensuring that resources are available not just for current use, but also for future generations. This concept involves managing and utilizing resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of maintaining resource availability, which is crucial in diverse fields such as aquaculture, where environmental impact and the replenishment of ecosystems play significant roles. Sustainable practices in aquaculture involve careful monitoring of fish populations, responsible sourcing of feed, and maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems to ensure that fish stocks and habitats remain viable in the long term.

In contrast, the other choices reflect practices that are unsustainable. Maximizing resource extraction and using resources without regard for future availability both contribute to depletion and environmental degradation, while short-term use solely for economic gain ignores the long-term health of ecosystems and can lead to disaster in resource-dependent industries. Therefore, focusing on sustainability ensures a balanced approach that respects both current and future resource needs.