Growing by more than 60% from 2000-2008 it is globe's fastest growing source of animal protein . (Aquaculture is cultivating fresh water and saltwater fish under controlled conditions as opposed to catching fish in the wild). Between 2000-2008, it grew from 32.4 million tons to 52.5 million tons. More than 50 per cent of the world’s food fish will come from aquaculture, making it a crucial method to reduce poverty and combat food insecurity, according UN Report. “Greatest Potential for Safe & Quality Aquatic Food”: “With stagnating global capture fishery production and an increasing population, aquaculture is perceived as having the greatest potential to produce more fish in the future to meet the growing demand for safe and quality aquatic food,” according to the report, World Aquaculture in 2010, by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Report states that aquaculture has not grown evenly throughout the planet. The Report urged further focus and assistance by governments as well as industry. With our oceans and their fist populations under threat from many directions – from pollution to overfishing – aquaculture may be a sound environmental as well as economic alternative? (Read – “Saving Oceans – 10 Concrete Measures” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/saving-oceans-10-concrete-measures-by-ambassador-mo/39921). Asia-Pacific & China Biggest Global Producers: 11 out of the 15 leading aquaculture-producing countries are located in the Asia-Pacific region - accounted for 89.1 per cent of global production in 2009. Most remarkably, China alone contributed to 62.3 per cent of production in the region that year. The report also states that there are marked differences in production levels and types of production. China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and India for example, lead production levels of shrimp and prawns, while Norway and Chile produce mostly salmon. Government Commitments: With “food insecurity becoming a consideration from human, economic and social unrest perspective, aquaculture is also now a political imperative. (Read- “State of Food Insecurity in World 2011” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/state-of-food-insecurity-in-world-2011-un-report-by-ambassador-mo/36153 )The Report warns that governments need to invest in aquaculture so they can continue to enjoy its benefits and address the challenges that are linked to this practice. “Achieving the global aquaculture sector’s long-term goal of economic, social and environmental sustainability depends primarily on continued commitments by governments to provide and support a good governance framework for the sector,” according to the Report. What are Concerns? Key concerns regarding aquaculture include quality and safety standards, traceability, certification and eco-labeling. Aquaculture faces major challenges due to climate change and the economic downturn in many countries, which could particularly affect small producers in Asia and Africa, where they make up the backbone of the industry. The report calls for governments to increase their efforts to assist small-scale producers by organizing them into associations and through the promotion of better management practices to ensure the industry can continue to meet the global demand for fish. “Food Shortages & Price Spikes Coming” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/food-shortages-prices-spikes-coming-by-ambassador-mo/28468 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect”

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