Glossary
Aquaculture
The farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants, in controlled freshwater or marine environments.
Example:
A large facility raising salmon in net pens along a coastline is an example of aquaculture.
Biodiversity
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Example:
Protecting natural mangrove forests is vital for maintaining high coastal biodiversity, providing habitats for numerous marine species.
Eutrophication
The excessive enrichment of a body of water with nutrients, primarily from runoff, leading to dense plant growth and depletion of oxygen when the plants decompose.
Example:
Runoff containing fish waste from an aquaculture farm can cause eutrophication in a nearby lake, leading to harmful algal blooms and fish kills.
Food Security
The state where all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Example:
Developing sustainable aquaculture practices can significantly contribute to global food security by providing a reliable and efficient protein source for a growing population.
Freshwater Aquaculture
A type of aquaculture that involves cultivating aquatic organisms in freshwater environments, such as ponds, lakes, or tanks.
Example:
A farmer raising tilapia in large, man-made ponds for local markets is practicing freshwater aquaculture.
Genetic Diversity
The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, crucial for a population's ability to adapt to environmental changes.
Example:
If genetically uniform farmed trout escape and interbreed with wild populations, it can reduce the overall genetic diversity of the native fish, making them less resilient to disease.
Marine Aquaculture
A type of aquaculture that involves cultivating aquatic organisms in saltwater environments, such as ocean cages, coastal pens, or offshore systems.
Example:
Growing oysters on racks in an estuary to filter water and produce seafood is a form of marine aquaculture.
Pollution
The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, causing adverse effects on living organisms and ecosystems.
Example:
Excess nutrients and uneaten feed from aquaculture operations can lead to water pollution in surrounding aquatic environments.