Ruben M Oghenebrorhie, Akinsanola A Bolanle, Okon M Ekemini, Shitu Teslim, Jagunna I Iretomiwa
Landmark University SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.
Department of Animal Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.
Vet World. 2025 Jan;18(1):15-28. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.15-28. Epub 2025 Jan 9.
Aquaculture, the cultivation of aquatic organisms for human consumption, has become an essential contributor to global food security. However, it faces numerous challenges that threaten its sustainability and capacity to meet the growing demand for animal protein. This review investigates these challenges, with a particular focus on environmental degradation, public health risks, and ethical dilemmas posed by genetic interventions in fish breeding. Despite the promise of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in enhancing fish production, their integration into aquaculture remains controversial due to potential risks and unresolved ethical questions. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these pressing issues and propose pathways for sustainable aquaculture development. With the global population increasing and the demand for animal protein intensifying, aquaculture holds great potential as a sustainable food source. However, its contribution to global protein demand remains minimal, projected to decline to as low as 4% in the coming decades. Furthermore, aquaculture's environmental impact, including pollution of water bodies and ecosystem disruption, poses serious threats to biodiversity and public health. Addressing these challenges is critical for ensuring the long-term viability of aquaculture. By exploring the intersection of sustainability, ethics, and innovation, this review provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers seeking to advance sustainable aquaculture practices. This study aims to evaluate the current state of aquaculture and identify key challenges related to environmental sustainability, public health, and ethical considerations. It seeks to explore the potential of sustainable practices and genetic interventions to address these challenges while balancing the need for increased production and societal acceptance. The ultimate goal is to offer practical recommendations for fostering a resilient and ethical aquaculture industry capable of meeting future global food demands.
水产养殖，即养殖水生生物以供人类食用，已成为全球粮食安全的重要贡献者。然而，它面临着众多挑战，这些挑战威胁着其可持续性以及满足对动物蛋白不断增长需求的能力。本综述调查了这些挑战，特别关注环境退化、公共卫生风险以及鱼类育种中基因干预带来的伦理困境。尽管转基因生物在提高鱼类产量方面前景广阔，但由于潜在风险和未解决的伦理问题，它们融入水产养殖仍存在争议。本研究旨在全面理解这些紧迫问题，并提出可持续水产养殖发展的途径。随着全球人口增长以及对动物蛋白的需求加剧，水产养殖作为一种可持续食物来源具有巨大潜力。然而，其对全球蛋白质需求的贡献仍然很小，预计在未来几十年将降至低至4%。此外，水产养殖对环境的影响，包括水体污染和生态系统破坏，对生物多样性和公共卫生构成严重威胁。应对这些挑战对于确保水产养殖的长期生存能力至关重要。通过探索可持续性、伦理和创新的交叉点，本综述为寻求推进可持续水产养殖实践的政策制定者、行业利益相关者和研究人员提供了宝贵的见解。本研究旨在评估水产养殖的现状，并确定与环境可持续性、公共卫生和伦理考量相关的关键挑战。它试图探索可持续实践和基因干预在应对这些挑战方面的潜力，同时平衡增加产量和社会接受度的需求。最终目标是为培育一个有韧性且符合伦理的水产养殖行业提供切实可行的建议，以满足未来全球粮食需求。
