Due to ever increasing human population coupled with the limited availability of space for land-based food production system (such as agriculture, poultry, cattle/goat/pig farming etc), a large number of people across the globe are affected by short and inconsistent supply or unavailability of quality food. A plausible solution of the problem could be enormous utilization of water resources as more than 70% of the earth surface is covered with water. Amongst a variety of food items present in the aquatic system, fishes are considered as the most important group of the organisms suitable for human consumption. However, capture fisheries is showing the signs of almost stagnation for more than a decade. In such circumstances, aquaculture shows a vast scope of expansion. Aquaculture is referred to as “underwater agriculture”. Aquaculture is economically more efficient and viable than land based animal farming systems in the sense that fishes are efficient converters of food to flesh and...

The contribution of aquaculture to global fish production has increased in the last twenty years with the production level reaching 73.8 million tonnes in 2014, about 44% of total fish production. Asian and African aquaculture production accounts for a greater proportion of growth in aquaculture output. Aquaculture contributes to livelihoods as well as revenue in several countries even though the economic conditions have been inclement and environmental problems persist. Aquaculture will have to continue to grow to meet the increasing demand for fish. But growth would not be sustainable if the planning and management are not improved significantly. There is a need for local, national and international planning and management to cater for environmental, social, economic, health and animal welfare concerns. These form the core of best management practice in aquaculture. Aquaculture can impact on the environment negatively considering genetics, water quality, ecology, health and resource use while the environment affects aquaculture on three fronts: the cultured species, culture system and overall feasibility. These put together will demand some management effort in order to ensure sustainability of aquaculture depending on the application of site selection and carrying capacity assessment, aquaculture hazard and risk analysis, ecosystem-based approach to aquaculture, aquaculture governance and planning, and aquaculture certification and standards. These are discussed in this chapter.

The object of this thesis is to sustain that achieving Sustainable Development in Aquaculture and Fisheries is not only possible, but also strongly recommendable. Fishing and Aquaculture products are a highly valuable source of protein that remarkably contribute to food security at a global level. They also constitute a source of income and employment, but when ill managed, can cause irreversible depletion of natural aquatic resources.

A substantial portion of the global increase in aquaculture production has come from coastal environments, but as the human population grows and expand~ its involvement in the coastal zones, there will be increasing pre~sure to share the coastal resources among multiple users. In this environment some of our existing aquaculture practices will not be sustainable in their present form, but those that are designed to accommodate multiple resource use could grow rapidly. Examples range from the traditional farming systems in Southeast Asia, which benefit the community at large as well as the aquaculturists themselves, to modern high-tech recirculation systems.

The status and potential of aquaculture is considered as part of a broader food landscape of wild aquatic and terrestrial food sources. The rationale and resource base required for the development of aquaculture are considered in the context of broader societal development, cultural preferences and human needs. Attention is drawn to the uneven development and current importance of aquaculture globally as well as its considerable heterogeneity of form and function compared with established terrestrial livestock production. The recent drivers of growth in demand and production are examined and the persistent linkages between exploitation of wild stocks, full life cycle culture and the various intermediate forms explored. An emergent trend for sourcing aquaculture feeds from alternatives to marine ingredients is described and the implications for the sector with rapidly growing feed needs discussed. The rise of non-conventional and innovative feed ingredients, often shared with terrest...