Aquaculture can be the cure for much of our ills
Dear Sir,
Aquaculture in the modern sense was “seriously reborn” only 40-odd years ago as a solution to overfishing of wild species while being a safe, efficient, sustainable and predictable method of bringing fish — and many other seafood products — to the dinner table.
“Seriously reborn” refers to aquaculture methods being used by many ancient civilisations.
Egyptian glyphs depict tilapia fish, which were put in pens to breed and catch at will on the Nile.
In many ways, modern fishermen are the last of the “hunter gatherers”; all other food sources are farmed, ranched or otherwise managed.
Even deer and elk seasonal hunting requires a licence, and herd sizes are closely monitored and managed.
Aquaculture has grown exponentially in 40 years, with a wide variety of farmed products (seaweed, bivalves, crustaceans, fresh and saltwater fish, etc).
Most all exported/imported sea products are resultant on aquaculture, which now accounts for a large percentage of the world’s seafood consumption.
Most all countries have an aquaculture industry, large or small, coastline or not. Bermuda? Zip and nada joining the ranks of the few have-nots.
What happened to us? Missed the boat? Just forgot? Habit we can’t shake?
Perhaps in the seemingly eternal “conversation” regarding where to fish, how many fish are really there, and how long they will continue to thrive in the face of human food requirements, aquaculture should be given the highest priority going forward.
Aquaculture has the potential to provide much of Bermuda’s seafood needs while providing safe and meaningful employment, educational opportunity, tourism attraction, etc with no downsides, while giving the wild species the break — and life — they need to thrive in their natural environment.
What else is so easy to agree with? That said, why not start the new year right?
Government, fishermen, environmentalists, students, tourists and eaters are all winners!
Let's rally behind something we all can agree on ... for our mutual benefit.
Aquaculture in 2023!
CAPTAIN NATHAN GEER
Ana Luna Catamaran Team
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