“There is a growing demand for seafood,” Marine Aquaculture Task Force chairman retired Adm. Richard Pittenger of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, noted in a recent conference call. “Today, close to 50 percent of seafood comes from aquaculture.”
The task force released its report, “Sustainable Marine Aquaculture: Fulfilling the Promise; Managing the Future,”Monday as well. Worldwide, aquaculture is growing at 10 percent a year. “The question is how and where should we do it,” said Daniel Benetti, director of the Aquaculture Program at the University of Miami, and a task force member.
Inshore aquaculture involving shellfish such as oysters or clams is relatively environmentally friendly. These filter feeders can clean the water by removing excess nutrients. Fish farming is viewed with a more jaundiced eye.
Source: Harwich Oracle