Within the next three decades, the world’s population is expected to grow to at least 9 billion people. Seafood is already in high demand, and that population growth will require a 70 percent increase in global food production. Finding better ways to produce more food for a hungry human population — while taking better care of our natural resources — is critical.
A new study by World Wildlife Fund demonstrates that intensifying shrimp farming can yield better results for the environment and for the bottom line. Through research in Vietnam and Thailand, the study shows that farmers can increase shrimp production without increasing pressure on natural resources.
Aaron McNevin, Ph.D., director of aquaculture for WWF’s Markets and Food program, and lead author of the study explains: “Natural resources like land, water, wild fish and energy come with a price tag. By using them more efficiently, farmers can improve their environmental and economic performance at the same time.”
The Moore Foundation's Oceans and Seafood Markets Initiative supports this kind of research, which can help the aquaculture sector become more efficient and sustainable. A grant to WWF has helped fund their work to evaluate and develop the business case for shrimp farms to adopt sustainable intensification practices and improve environmental performance.
Read more about the WWF research here.
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