Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Aquaculture

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Papers Based on three aquaculture systems (Nile tilapia in Bangladesh, Indian major carps in India and striped catfish in Viet Nam), this publication explains where and how greenhouse gas emissions arise in Asian aquaculture. It highlights the variations within each farming system at every stage, and makes suggestions for methods that could both develop cost-effective ways of improving aquaculture and reduce related emission intensities.

Global aquaculture makes an important contribution to food security directly (by increasing food availability and accessibility) and indirectly (as a driver of economic development). In order to enable sustainable expansion of aquaculture, we need to understand aquaculture’s contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and how it can be mitigated. This study quantifies the global GHG emissions from aquaculture (excluding farming of aquatic plants) and explains how cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) could be used to appraise GHG mitigation measures. Cost-effective mitigation of GHG from aquaculture can make a direct contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action), while supporting food security (Goal 2: Zero Hunger), and economic development (Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth).

This document contains the report of the Expert Workshop on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Strategies and Methods in Seafood held in Rome, Italy, from 23 to 25 January 2012. The Workshop was convened by the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, following a recommendation by the Twenty-ninth Session of the Committee on Fisheries that FAO should provide Members with information on possible fishing industry contributions to climate change, and on ways to reduce the sector's reliance on, and consumption of, fossil fuels, respecting the principles embodied within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Financial and in-kind support for the Expert Workshop was provided by the Government of Norway, the FAO Regular Programme, Seafish, Dalhousie University and other contributing participants.

ÿFish?including finfish and shellfish?are an important item in the human food basket, contributing 17 percent of the global animal-based protein supply in 2010. They are an especially valuable food source in developing countries, where more than 75 percent of the world?s fish consumption occurs. In addition to protein, fish contain micronutrients and longchain omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for maternal and child health, but often deficient in the diets of the poor. However, the global supply of wild-caught fish has long peaked and is unlikely to rise again unless overexploited stocks are rehabilitated. As world fish consumption continues to grow, aquaculture (fish farming) has emerged to meet demand. Already, just under half of all fish that people consume come from aquaculture, which is one of the world?s fastest-growing animal food producing sectors. With the supply of wild-caught fish stagnant, any future increase in world fish consumption will need to be supplied by aquaculture. This working paper explores the potential role of aquaculture in meeting global fish demand in 2050, finding that aquaculture production will need to more than double by midcentury. The authors examine scenarios of aquaculture?s growth and environmental impacts in 2050 and close with a series of recommendations for how to sustainably grow aquaculture production.

The study (workshop presentations, proceedings, GHG tool and recommendations) was carried out to improve FCR and asses its impact on reducing GHG emissions in Aquaculture. Three major objectives of this study was to assess the current GHG contributions of aquaculture and ways to measure it, ii) explore the potential to continue reducing FCR in salmon farming and other species, and therefore improving their environmental performance including GHG and iii) explore potential transfer of feed and fe eding technologies and lessons learn from salmon farming to other freshwater species such as tilapia, carps and catfishes and marine shrimp. The findings of this study identified several factors that affect FCRs, particularly in species farmed in developing countries, which could be targeted with programs that ultimately would reduce GHG and other emissions. The study concluded that managing environmental aspects, simplifying farm management, and improving feed management, would improve FCRs and reduce GHG emissions.

An overview of the current scientific knowledge available on climate change implications for fisheries and aquaculture is provided through three technical papers that were presented and discussed during the Expert Workshop on Climate Change Implications for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Rome, 7-9 April 2008). A summary of the workshop outcomes as well as key messages on impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and on fisheries- and aquaculture-based livelihoods are provided in the introduction of this Technical Paper. The first paper reviews the physical and ecological impacts of climate change relevant to marine and inland capture fisheries and aquaculture. The paper begins with a review of the physical impacts of climate change on marine and freshwater systems and then connects these changes with observed effects on fish production processes. It also outlines a series of scenarios of climate change impacts on fish production and ecosystems through case studies in different regions and ecosystems. The second paper tackles the consequences of climate change impacts on fisheries and their dependent communities. It analyses the exposure, sensitivity and vulnerability of fisheries to climate change and presents examples of adaptive mechanisms currently used in the sector. The contribution of fisheries to greenhouse gas emissions is addressed and examples of mitigation strategies are given. The role of public policy and institutions in promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation is also explored. Finally, the third paper addresses the impacts of climate change on aquaculture. It provides an overview of the current food fish and aquaculture production and a synthesis of existing studies on climate change effects on aquaculture and fisheries. The paper focuses on the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on aquaculture, in terms of biodiversity, fish disease and fishmeal. Contribution of aquaculture to climate change is addressed (carbon emission and carbon sequestration), as well as possible adaptation and mitigation measures that could be implemented.

This book presents a solutions based approach to reducing and removing CO2 from the atmosphere transforming it into solid (crystalline) CaCO3 through the ability of marine organisms such as molluscs, crustacea, corals, and coccolithophore algae. The overwhelming advantage of this approach is that it promises enhanced climate mitigation in comparison to planting forests, industrial/engineering carbon capture and storage process. It also provides a sustainable food resource. Furthermore, it would improve the ocean's biodiversity at the same time as the excess atmospheric CO2 released by our use of fossil fuels is returned to the place it belongs - as a present day fossil, safely out of the atmosphere to the distant future. If the level of finance and global effort that are readily foreseen for forest management and flue gas treatments were applied to expansion of global shellfish cultivation, curative amounts of carbon dioxide could be permanently removed from the atmosphere within a few decades. The concept presented in this book could have a profound influence on the life of the planet.

Explores how the management of wetlands can influence carbon storage and fluxes. Wetlands are vital natural assets, including their ability to take-up atmospheric carbon and restrict subsequent carbon loss to facilitate long-term storage. They can be deliberately managed to provide a natural solution to mitigate climate change, as well as to help offset direct losses of wetlands from various land-use changes and natural drivers. Wetland Carbon and Environmental Management presents a collection of wetland research studies from around the world to demonstrate how environmental management can improve carbon sequestration while enhancing wetland health and function. Volume highlights include: Overview of carbon storage in the landscape Introduction to wetland management practices Comparisons of natural, managed, and converted wetlands Impact of wetland management on carbon storage or loss Techniques for scientific assessment of wetland carbon processes Case studies covering tropical, coastal, inland, and northern wetlands Primer for carbon offset trading programs and how wetlands might contribute The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity.Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.