Aquatic genetic resources make vital contributions to global food security and nutrition, providing livelihoods to millions of fishing and farming households and communities around the world.
The genetic diversity of aquaculture species and populations is at the basis of their adaptability and resilience to a changing environment. It is also the foundation for the development of improved farmed types through domestication and genetic improvement.
Aquaculture is characterized by an incredible diversity of species that include finfish, molluscs, crustaceans, algae and aquatic plants. However, of the nearly 700 species currently being farmed, only a few contribute significantly to global aquaculture production, while many others remain underutilized or are only important locally.
As global demand for aquatic foods continues to rise and aquaculture expands, it is more critical than ever to ensure that the use of aquatic genetic resources goes hand in hand with their conservation and sustainable management.
The responsible use of modern technologies plays a key role in this process. These tools can help document the diversity of farmed types and wild stocks of aquaculture species, and to manage this diversity.
They can also contribute to selective breeding programmes aimed at improving traits such as growth, disease resistance and resilience to climate change, fostering the long-term sustainability of aquatic food systems.
Keeping track of the status and changes of aquatic genetic resources also helps to assess the effectiveness of management measures and ensures that decisions are guided by evidence-based information.
The work undertaken by FAO on aquatic genetic resources aims to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders to build and disseminate technical capacities, strengthen policies and regulations, and ensure that the benefits deriving from the utilization of these precious resources are accessible to everyone, particularly in developing countries.
What are aquatic genetic resources?
Aquatic genetic resources is a term that refers to the broad range of biodiversity levels, including molecular sequences, genes, chromosomes, tissues, gametes, embryos and other early life history stages, individuals, farmed types, wild stocks and communities of organisms of actual or potential value for food and agriculture.
What is a farmed type?
The term farmed type is a term that refers to farmed aquatic organisms at a level below species, including strain, variety, hybrid, triploid, monosex group, or other genetically altered forms. It also refers to wild-sourced aquatic organisms (i.e. seed and broodstock collected from the wild). See also: What are farmed types in aquaculture and why do they matter?
Aquaculture production by country
How the sector has grown worldwide, 1950–2023.
Watch global trends since 1950