One disadvantage of aquaculture is that: a. it meets only one-fifth of the total demand for fish b. farmed fish eat chow made from wild-caught fish c. it utilizes excess water d. enclosures are too costly to build e. few food crops grow underwater
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: b. farmed fish eat chow made from wild-caught fish.
Aquaculture, or the farming of fish and other aquatic organisms, is a rapidly growing industry aimed at meeting the increasing demand for seafood. While it provides a sustainable way to supply fish to the market, one of its major disadvantages is that farmed fish often rely on fishmeal, which is made from wild-caught fish. This process essentially creates a demand for more wild fish, which can strain marine ecosystems and deplete fish populations that are already being overfished.
Here’s why this is a significant issue:
- Overfishing: The fishmeal used to feed farmed fish is often made from small pelagic fish like sardines, anchovies, or herring. These species are crucial parts of the ocean’s food chain. When they are removed from the ecosystem to feed farmed fish, it can disrupt the food web, affecting other marine species, including those that rely on these small fish as a primary food source.
- Sustainability Concerns: In an ideal world, aquaculture would be a sustainable method of food production. However, the need for wild-caught fish to feed farmed fish creates an unsustainable cycle. To keep up with the demand, fisheries may over-exploit wild fish populations, which can lead to long-term environmental damage.
- Nutrient Imbalance: Fishmeal itself can be high in protein but may lack other essential nutrients needed for a balanced diet for the farmed fish. In some cases, the composition of the fishmeal may not fully meet the nutritional needs of the farmed species, potentially affecting the health and growth of the fish.
To address these issues, there have been efforts to develop alternative feed sources for farmed fish, such as plant-based ingredients or insect-based meals. However, this remains an ongoing challenge within the industry.
