The Nature of Aquaculture

New insights into the habitat benefits of seaweed and shellfish farms in temperate ecosystems are emerging from a unique study initiated by The Nature Conservancy on opposite sides of the globe: New Zealand and the Gulf of Maine.

A recent study suggests that educating consumers about the ecosystem services provided by farmed seaweed will make them willing to pay more for seaweed-based products.

Mariculture – the farming of marine species in ocean and coastal environments – is rapidly gaining attention for its potential to be a low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, climate-friendly source of protein, particularly in comparison to some of its terrestrial …

The aquaculture of edible bivalves and seaweeds can have a positive impact on marine habitat for fish and invertebrates, including crabs and lobsters, according to a new study.

How kelp farms can provide habitat for fish and marine invertebrates, whether there are any negative impacts on fish and marine invertebrates during maintenance and harvesting cycles, and how the benefits of restorative aquaculture can be optimised for both th…

Following a reduction in seafood restaurant sales during the pandemic, a new project aims to take 5 million excess oysters be rebuild shellfish reefs – turning economic calamity into long-term conservation gain.

The Nature Conservancy has been partnering with the Government of Belize, non-profits, the private sector and local fishers – including women – to develop an innovative sustainable seaweed mariculture industry that provides ecosystem benefits in addition to al…

Climate change and unsustainable practices are threatening seaweed farming in Tanzania, an industry that employs over 25,000 farmers, of whom around 80 percent are women. To help address these challenges, The Nature Conservancy is partnering with Cargill, loca…

How Hong Kong is working to maintain an 800-year-old oyster farming tradition and work with Shenzhen to restore Deep Bay.

Robert Jones, global aquaculture lead at The Nature Conservancy, describes how he was converted to the benefits of sustainable mariculture, despite growing up in a keen fishing family who believed that aquaculture was a negative sector.

How tech is transforming our understanding of the ecological benefits delivered by New England’s renowned shellfish farming sector

New analysis shows the global potential of seaweed and shellfish to improve ocean health, provide food, and support livelihoods.

Ensuring secure and sustainable food supplies will be one of the key challenges for human society this century, given the combination of population growth and climate change.

We should think of seaweed as anything but the unwelcome marine “plants” their name would suggest. These oft-overlooked species within the aquaculture world have tremendously diverse commercial applications; the potential to improve human wellbeing for coastal…

Oyster restoration has long been a priority for The Nature Conservancy. Shellfish serve as nature’s water-purification system, filtering sediment, algae and excess nutrients from the water. Their reefs provide nurseries and feeding grounds for fish and other c…

Why those looking to make ethical investments in aquaculture should concentrate on systems relating to seaweed and bivalves, land-based finfish facilities and offshore finfish production.

Robert Jones, global aquaculture lead for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), launches a new column covering the aquaculture-related work of the international conservation organisation.