Mariculture: the future of Asian Aquaculture

Marine and coastal aquaculture contributed 7.3 MMT and USD 35.4 billion in the total aquaculture production in 2018 which is 8.07% more than 2016 and 37.51% of the total global aquaculture production (SOFIA 2020). Aquaculture production will surpass wild capture by 2022. Moreover, global population will be 8.5 billion by 2030. Hence, farmers need to continue supplying sustainable animal protein for the increased number of population. Integrated mariculture will not only able to produce substantial amount of food from the sea but also play an important role in employment generation, economic development and overall sustainability of the coastal communities.

Though Asia is contributing (42%) highest in case of aquaculture production. Some of them have established seaweed industries but most of them have limited knowledge and experience on mariculture especially offshore farming. Insufficient seed, lack of investment and integration of species, common resource use, technical expertise and national policy considering environmental issues is yet to be explored.

INFOFISH is organizing a series of webinars addressing these relevant issues to keep the industry stakeholders updated and to continue sustainable and resilient seafood production.