Global aquaculture production has significantly increased by 54% since 2011, becoming one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors. The UN plans to further accelerate this growth to address rising demand and combat global hunger, aiming for a 35% increase by 2030. Despite recent progress in Asia, projections suggest that nearly 600 million people worldwide will still suffer from chronic undernourishment by the end of the decade. The FAO is actively assisting member countries in developing their aquaculture sectors, emphasizing its vital role in addressing food insecurity.
In Western nations like the US, however, aquaculture lags behind due to limited support and challenges in farming indigenous fish species. Nonetheless, industry experts believe that aquaculture will eventually gain momentum in the US, following the global trend. Economic conditions have been cited as obstacles to growth, but changes in consumer eating habits could drive further expansion. Currently, the US ranks nineteenth in aquaculture output, with relatively low seafood consumption compared to other countries. To fully embrace aquaculture as a sustainable solution to food security, there needs to be wider acceptance of it as a responsible source of animal protein.
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