Anyone interested in how aquaculture can contribute to truly sustainable development should read Aaron McNevin’s latest article. Given that he’s employed by WWF, it’s easy to assume that the environment would be McNevin’s top priority. However, this piece focuses squarely on the socio-economic sustainability of aquaculture and rails against the dangers of using the sector to perpetuate poverty.

While he doesn’t delve into specifics, he appears to suggest that improving food security and living conditions would be much better served by projects that generate profits. It’s the sort of idea that goes against the grain of many development-related charities and NGOs, who don’t bill themselves as the vanguards of capitalism and are terrified of fielding criticisms caused by radical departures from the status quo.

However, as McNevin argues, with more and more migrants viewing the West as the only place to escape crushing poverty it’s never been more important to create genuine economic opportunities in other parts of the world. If it’s done correctly, aquaculture can help in this drive.