Walid Battal
A recent FAO report from July 2024 indicates that aquaculture in Asia is growing significantly despite the many challenges it faces. Asia alone accounts for more than 90% of the world’s aquaculture production. Countries such as China, India, Vietnam and Thailand are the world’s largest producers and exporters. And for good reason: these countries have large areas of fresh water, which facilitates the farming of shrimp, carp, pangasius, molluscs (oysters, mussels, crabs, crayfish, etc.), as well as other freshwater fish species. This sector employs millions of people, including 14 million people in India and 4.7 million in China. For these people, aquaculture is the main source of livelihood.
However, it should be noted that the demand for aquaculture products is growing, as the consumption of fish in the continent is the largest in the world, with an annual quantity of 50 kg per capita. This overproduction poses serious environmental problems: pollution from intensive aquaculture, deforestation of marine ecosystems and the use of antibiotics. Recently, these Asian countries have put in place strategies to counter these challenges. The solutions adopted combine technology, sustainable practices and innovations. This is the case of aquaponics, which makes it possible to recycle nutrients and reduce environmental impact, by producing fish farming and plant cultivation in symbiosis. Integrated aquaculture, on the other hand, makes it possible to combine fish farming with rice cultivation, thus achieving significant water savings, while improving agricultural productivity.
Other optimal solutions include financing technologies for smallholder producers, improved disease management in aquaculture, rehabilitation of coastal ecosystems (e.g. mangroves) or the implementation of new regulations and sustainable certifications (Aquaculture Stewardship Council).