Emerging Aquaculture Technologies for Food and Nutritional Security
摘要
The chapter explores the vital role of aquaculture in ensuring global food and nutritional security, especially in the face of population growth and the resultant pressure on aquatic ecosystems. To address these challenges, researchers and aquaculture experts are working on developing cutting-edge technologies to promote sustainable aquaculture and enhance food and nutritional security. Key innovations include Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), a closed-loop system that recycles water in a regulated setting, thereby enabling intensive culture in a controlled environment and reducing the risk of disease transmission. Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) involves cultivating multiple species in a shared ecosystem, thus optimizing resource utilization and reducing environmental impact. Aquaponics (aquaculture + hydroponics), an integrated approach, utilizes fish waste to nourish plants while the plants facilitate purifying the water for recirculation. Over and above these approaches, Biofloc Technology (BFT) and FLOCponics are water treatment systems that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms that rely on the formation of dense microbial communities. Further, automated feeding/monitoring systems equipped with smart sensors and feeding mechanisms improve production efficiency and reduce operational costs. Remote sensing technologies and data analytics monitor and manage aquaculture systems, thus optimizing feeding schedules and assessing environmental conditions to maximize productivity while mitigating risks. By reducing reliance on wild fish stocks and minimizing environmental impacts, these innovations pave the way for fostering environment-friendly practices and a more secure and sustainable future in the aquaculture industry. However, challenges and constraints are being faced in adopting these technologies; hence further research for improvement is the need of the hour.