Benefits of Fish Farming

Fish farming is the practice of raising fish in man-made ponds or tanks for human consumption. This is also known as aquaculture and has become widespread over the globe in the past few decades. Fish farming, like other types of farming, offers a plethora of benefits that can help and the environment Supply and Demand Fish farming allows for large supplies of fish to be farmed according to demand. Catching fish from the wild may not yield enough product to meet consumer demand and simultaneously keep the natural ecosystem in balance. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that by 2030, about 40 million tons of seafood will be necessary to keep up with demand. The ocean's ability to produce enough fish has diminished over the years, leaving aquaculture as the only method to keep up with this increasing demand. Preserving Natural Ecosystems Fish farming does not require the extensive capture of wild fish. They can be raised in tanks until they're ready to be sold on the market without having to strip oceans of entire schools of fish, allowing for better preservation of marine ecosystem Health Benefits Many farm-raised fish are more nutritious than their wild brethren. On farms, fish are often fed a variety of protein- and nutrient-rich foods and pellets that make them far healthier than wild fish, which may have been exposed to dangerous chemicals or pesticides. Job Producing Since more than 1 billion people rely on fish as their primary source of protein, most of them located in developing countries, farming is often an attractive practice to them, as it supplies food and jobs. In fact, global fish exportation now earns more money per year than any other food commodity, meaning there is money to be made and job positions to fill.