Collectively managed ”sea allotments”, which produce mussels for consumption by local communities, are a growing trend in Denmark, as more people bid to produce environmentally sustainable – and delicious – local seafood.
While the oceans are still hugely efficient at producing bivalves such as mussels and oysters, it would be complacent not to consider a future when producing them in urban environments had its merits.
A new project that aims to investigate growing kelp and mussels alongside offshore wind turbines – as well as researching the potential for artificial reefs – has been awarded a NOK 84 million (£7 million) grant.
Although Tunisia has a relatively undeveloped aquaculture sector, it has huge potential – with 1,350 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline, a maritime domain of over 80,000 square kilometres and seven lagoons covering 100,000 hectares.
While a “waterfall of capital” might come into the aquaculture sector in the near future, there’s a danger that it might not be sufficient to grow the sector in line with demands for blue foods.
A new edition of Rabobank’s World Seafood Map shows 55 trade flows that are each valued at over $400 million per year and an additional 19 trade flows that are valued at over $200 million, illustrating the international nature and diversity of seafood trade.
Triploidy is widely used in aquaculture to improve growth rates, reduce possible impacts of farmed animals on wild aquatic ecosystems and enhance product quality, but there’s room for improvement and for alternative technologies.
