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Aquatic Food Production System - Coggle Diagram
Aquatic Food Production System
Overview of Aquatic Food Systems
Definition and Types
Systems involving the extraction or cultivation of aquatic organisms for food.
Types of Aquatic Food Systems
Capture Fisheries: Wild fish stocks harvested directly from oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Aquaculture: Cultivation of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, algae, etc., in controlled environments.
Oceanic Systems: Open oceans, high seas, and deep-sea habitats.
Continental Systems: Freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Importance of Aquatic Food Systems
Protein Source: Essential for billions of people globally.
Economic Significance: Vital industry for coastal and island nations.
Cultural Role: Traditional and indigenous fishing practices.
Sustainability of Aquatic Systems
Concepts of Sustainability
Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY):
The largest harvest possible without compromising future populations.
Formula: Net annual growth of stock = MSY.
Optimal Sustainable Yield (OSY)
Lower than MSY to account for ecological balance and ecosystem health.
Environmental Concerns
Overfishing
Depletes target species populations.
Example: Collapse of North Atlantic cod fisheries in the 1990s.
Bycatch
Non-target species unintentionally caught, including turtles, dolphins, and juvenile fish.
Contributes to biodiversity loss.
Destruction of Habitats
Coral reefs damaged by cyanide fishing and dynamite fishing.
Mangroves cleared for shrimp farmin
Pollution
Eutrophication: Nutrient runoff causes algal blooms, depleting oxygen.
Plastics and microplastics impact marine food chains.
Oil spills damage ecosystems
Impacts of Modern Fishing Practices
Technological Advancements
Improved Detection
Use of sonar and GPS for locating fish.
Fishing Gear
Bottom trawling nets destroy seabed habitats.
Drift nets entangle non-target species
Consequences of Overfishing
Decline in Fish Stocks
Key commercial species at risk (e.g., tuna, swordfish)
Long recovery times for slow-growing species
Trophic Cascades
Removal of predators affects entire ecosystems
Example: Jellyfish blooms due to predator loss.
Economic and Social Effects
Loss of livelihoods in coastal communities
Increased reliance on aquaculture
Aquaculture (Fish Farming)
Growth of Aquaculture
Accounts for nearly 50% of global fish production
Includes fish (salmon, tilapia), crustaceans (shrimp), and aquatic plants (seaweed)
Benefits of Aquaculture
Food Security: Reliable supply for growing populations.
Economic Opportunities: Employment in farming, processing, and distribution
Conservation Impact: Reduces pressure on wild fish stocks.
Drawbacks of Aquaculture
Habitat Destruction:
Conversion of mangroves and wetlands.
Water Pollution:
Release of waste, uneaten feed, and antibiotics into the environment.
Disease Spread:
Dense populations increase susceptibility to pathogens.
Genetic Contamination:
Escaped farmed species can interbreed with wild populations.
Factors Influencing Aquatic Food Production
Biological Factors
Growth rates, reproductive capacity, and life cycles of species.
Ecosystem interactions (predation, competition)
Environmental Factors
Ocean temperature changes due to climate change
Salinity, dissolved oxygen levels, and pH changes.
Human Factors
Increasing demand for seafood.
Governance: Regional and international cooperation (e.g., UNCLOS).
Management policies: Licensing, quotas, and enforcement.
Management of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Fisheries Management
Sustainable Practices
Quotas on species catch limits
Seasonal bans to protect breeding periods
Gear restrictions (e.g., turtle exclusion devices)
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Safeguard breeding grounds and biodiversity
International Agreements
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs)
Innovations in Aquaculture
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA):
Combines species at different trophic levels (e.g., fish, seaweed, shellfish).
Genetic Improvements:
Selective breeding for faster growth and disease resistance.