Transformative Research in Aquaculture for Sustainable Seafood Security

Research can play a catalytic role in aligning sustainability perspectives with global concerns. Sustainable food systems are receiving a growing attention for meeting the food security at a time when traditional food production systems that are heavily dependent on natural resources are facing an enormous challenge. Seafood is increasing its share in global food security. Aquaculture has emerged as a sector that can rapidly bridge the gap between supply and demand of seafood. However, it needs to undergo transformation to meet the sustainable development benchmarks. An aspect that is receiving more interest is decarbonization of production systems for climate change mitigation as well as adaptation. Given the diversity of aquaculture systems and investment in green technologies, reduction in carbon footprint of aquaculture is achievable. In fact, in some forms of integrated aquaculture such as farming of low food chain species and seaweed the decarbonization has already been experimentally demonstrated. Further investment in research and development of sustainable aquafeeds and expansion of selected culture systems in the sea will enable the aquaculture sector to measure up to the net zero standards or to progress into carbon farming. Social innovations in terms of designing and implementation of knowledge-based disruptive solutions will contribute significantly to sustainable seafood security and positively influence the individuals and communities. Co-constructing purposeful social innovation and normalizing this activity at institutions of higher education for human capacity development will pay rich dividends.