A Review: Aquaculture, Innovation and Social Transformation

SBN: 978-1-4020-8834-6

In 2008, the International Library of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Ethics produced this book ‘Aquaculture, Innovation and Social Transformation volume 17’ which was edited by Keith Culver and David Castle.

 

Since the 1970s, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, aquaculture has grown at 8.8 percent a year surpassing meat production which only gains around 2.8 percent a year in the same period. With declining fish stock and decreased catches, aquaculture is considered to be the way forward in meeting the demands of a growing world population.

However, there are those that are opposed to aquaculture fearing that the marine and freshwater environments will be devastated by intensive fish farming practices. This book arose from a way to find new approaches to the debate over aquaculture’s future and is split into six parts

Part One: Animal Welfare in Aquaculture

Chapters one deals with animal welfare in aquaculture looking at definitions of animal welfare, welfare and the five freedoms, the capacity of fish to experience suffering. Natural responses to adverse conditions and how scientists measure fish welfare. Also, the impact of intensive farming on fish welfare and strategies for improving welfare in aquaculture.

Chapter two deals with science and governance issues in aquaculture animal welfare it also looks at the definition of animal welfare the problem of pain and the legislation of pain. Consciousness, governance and governance of aquaculture. 

 

Chapter three deals with welfare and aquaculture industry practice its looks at the science and the question of whether the fish suffer. Potential industry approaches to fish welfare in aquaculture and asking the questions so what are we doing and what more should we do?

Part Two: Knowledge Management and Intellectual Property Issues in Aquaculture

Chapters four, five and six deals with the mark of innovation in aquaculture: The role of intangible assets new school fish production versus old school fish harvesting and return on investment or how not to pay commercial licenses for your own technology.

Later parts of this publication cover the environmental sustainability of aquaculture and the interactions between traditional and local knowledge and modern aquaculture. Messages, consumers and aquaculture: New Products, New Worries. The final frontier: integrated coastal zone management and new practices for Global Competitiveness: Alternate Species, Alternate Uses, and Value-Added Aquaculture.

A well-written book, that deals with a very emotive subject area. As the population grows this debate will continue and this book deals with each component of the topical debate, as to whether aquaculture is the way forward. In my opinion, I think this book will be of interest to those concerned with the social effects of intensified fish farming and production, food security, environment focused researchers and anyone who cares about the future of the world's oceans.   A must have book for the bookcase.