The Global production of fish from aquaculture has grown rapidly during the past four decades, contributing significant quantities to the world’s supply of fish for human consumption.

Aquaculture now accounts for nearly half (45 percent) of the world’s food fish and this increase is expected to reach 50 percent in 2015. Started primarily as an Asian freshwater food production system, aquaculture has now spread to all continents, encompassing all aquatic environments and utilizing a range of aquatic species. From an activity that was principally small-scale, non-commercial and family-based, aquaculture now includes large-scale commercial or industrial production of high value species that are traded at the national, regional and international levels. Although production remains predominantly Asian and is still largely based on small-scale operations, there is a wide consensus among many that aquaculture has the potential to meet the growing global demand for nutritious food fish and to contribute to the growth of national economies, while also supporting the sustainable livelihoods of many communities. 

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