Question

Advantage of fish seed collected from natural source

Answer 1

Fish farming exists to address a fundamental problem: The demand for fish grows as the human population grows, and the number of fish available in the wild isn't keeping pace. Even in carefully managed wild fisheries, the combination of climate change, pollution and pressure from fishermen can produce unpredictable variations in the supply of fish. In a worst-case scenario, that can cause a fish population to crash, as Atlantic cod did in the 1970s and 1980s. In the long term, expecting conventional fisheries to continue to meet the world's needs with wild fish is as unrealistic as expecting a network of hunters to keep supermarket meat cases filled. Fish farming, or aquaculture as it's formally known, will need to make up the difference.

Keeps Fish Affordable

One of the basic principles of economics is that if demand is increasing and the supply is not, costs will go up. Over time, that trend could make fish unaffordable for all but the affluent. Bucking that trend is one of the biggest advantages of fish farming. By providing a steady, reliable, high-volume supply of fish, it helps the price remain manageable for most shoppers.

Reliable Supply and Wide Distribution

Having a reliable supply of fish is another advantage of aquaculture. The wild fishery is naturally chancy, with catches rising or falling by the day, month or season. Fish farms turn out predictable harvests of fish at consistent sizes, making it easy for chefs, supermarkets, fishmongers and individual customers to plan their purchases. For restaurants and processors, this consistency means they can easily provide portions in standard sizes, too.

Another advantage of fish farming is that it brings the supply of fish to where the consumers are. From open pens in inland lakes to tanks and ponds on dry land, fish farms can be set up almost anywhere there's a market. This cuts the financial and environmental cost of shipping and provides consumers with fresher fish. That's a win-win.