4.3 Aquatic Food Production
4.3 Aquatic Food Production
3
Aquatic Food
Production
Syllabus-SL
4.3.1 Phytoplankton and macrophytes provide energy for freshwater and marine food webs.
4.3.2 Humans consume organisms from freshwater and marine environments.
4.3.3 Demand for foods from freshwater and marine environments is increasing due to the growth in human
population and changes in dietary preferences.
4.3.4 The increasing global demand for seafood has encouraged use of unsustainable harvesting practices
and overexploitation.
4.3.5 Overexploitation has led to the collapse of fisheries.
4.3.6 The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is the highest possible annual catch that can be sustained over
time, so it should be used to set caps on fishing quotas.
4.3.7 Climate change and ocean acidification are having impacts on ecosystems and may cause collapse of
some populations in freshwater or marine ecosystems.
4.3.8 Unsustainable exploitation of freshwater and marine ecosystems can be mitigated through policy
legislation addressing the fishing industry and changes in consumer behaviour.
4.3.9 Marine protected areas (MPAs) can be used to support aquatic food chains and maintain sustainable
yields.
4.3.10 Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic
plants. The industry is expanding to increase food supplies and support economic development, but there are
associated environmental impacts.
Syllabus-HL
4.3.11 Productivity, thermal stratification, nutrient mixing and nutrient loading are interconnected in water
systems.
4.3.12 Accurate assessment of fish stocks and monitoring of harvest rates are required for their conservation
and sustainable use.
4.3.13 There are risks in harvesting fish at the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) rate and these risks need to
be managed carefully.
4.3.14 Species that have been overexploited may recover with cooperation between governments, the fishing
industry, consumers and other interest groups, including NGOs, wholesale fishery markets and local
supermarkets.
4.3.15 According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states have an exclusive
economic zone stretching 370 km out to sea, within which the state’s government can regulate fishing.
Almost 60% of the ocean is the high seas outside these coastal zones, with limited intergovernmental
regulation.
4.3.16 Harvesting of seals, whales and dolphins raises ethical issues relating to the rights of animals and of
indigenous groups of humans.
4.2.16 Water stress can arise from transboundary disputes when water sources cross regional boundaries.
4.3.1: Aquatic Food Webs
● Trophic Level 1 – Primary Producers (Phytoplankton
and algae) which generate energy through
photosynthesis
● Trophic Level 2 – Primary Consumers: Herbivores like
zooplankton and small fish that feed on primary
producers
● Trophic Level 3 – Secondary Consumers: Carnivores
and omnivores, such as larger fish, that feed on
herbivores
● Trophic Level 4 – Tertiary Consumers: Top predators
like sharks, seals, and large predatory fish
● Decomposers/Detritivores: Organisms like bacteria
and fungi that break down dead matter, recycling
nutrients back into the ecosystem
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/408209153716562807/
4.3.1: Phytoplankton and Macrophytes
● Phytoplankton: Microscopic, photosynthetic organism in oceans, seas, freshwater
○ Plant like plankton, such as cyanobacteria, single celled algae
● Macrophytes: Visible aquatic plants that can be emergent, submerged, or floating
○ Live attached or rooted to the bottom of water body.
○ Such as seagrasses, reeds and water lilies, kelp and sea lettuce,duckweed.
ROLE:
● Phytoplankton and macrophytes are
primary producers that capture solar
energy.
● They form the base of aquatic food webs,
supporting higher trophic levels
(zooplankton, fish, etc.).
● Energy transfer through trophic levels.
Global
Consumption
4.3.2 Human Consumption of
Aquatic Species
Humans rely heavily on both freshwater and marine environments as vital
sources of food.
● Aquatic Fauna: Includes fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other animals that
live in water. They are a rich source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and
other nutrients.
● Aquatic Flora: Includes plants such as seaweed and algae, which are
consumed for their vitamins, minerals, and other health benefit
4.3.2 Human Consumption of
Aquatic Species
The increased
popularity of blue
foods, especially in
urban areas, means
that fishers and
traders can charge
high prices, which
further
incentivises
harvesting from
aquatic systems.
https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/9df19f53-b931-4d04-acd3-58a71c6b1a5b/content/sofia/2022/consumption-of-aquatic-foods.html
4.3.2 Human Consumption of Aquatic
Species
4.3.2 Human Consumption of
Aquatic Species
Growing awareness of overfishing is leading people to shift from aquatic animals to aquatic plants.
Why??
1. lower trophic levels
2. Marine algae (seaweeds) more
affordable dietary option
3. essential omega-3 fatty acids,
benefiting human health.
Impact:
Seaweed production
has grown rapidly →
over 50% of total
global marine
production
4.3.3: Growing Demand for Aquatic Foods
Demand for aquatic foods increase due to global population growth increase, shifts in
dietary preferences (health benefits of seafood), growth of middle-class consumers.
PROBLEM:
● Demand for products from marine
and freshwater environments has
increased, but the growth has
slowed recently.
● This rise in demand is driven by the
growth of aquaculture, while
capture fisheries have remained
steady.
Check your understanding
Table: Global seafood consumption trends over time
Bottom 40
Trawling
Ghost Fishing 30
Poisons 25
Explosives 25
4.3.4: Bottom Trawling
A large nets are dragged behind the boat along the seafloor to catch species like cod and shrimp.
https://transformbottomtrawling.org/faqs/
4.3.4: Ghost Fishing
Lost or discarded fishing gear, like nets or traps, continues to capture marine life, often for years.
Impact: Traps fish, marine mammals, turtles, and seabirds, often killing them and
contributing to marine pollution
Example: Ghost nets in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch entangle animals and damage
coral reefs.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/whale-fishing-net-ghost-illegal/
4.3.4: Poisons
use chemicals like cyanide to stun fish, making capture easier, especially for the aquarium
trade and high-value species.
https://medium.com/center-for-biological-diversity/findin
g-solutions-to-cyanide-fishing-4560d8f4622d
4.3.4: Blast Fishing
Blast fishing uses explosives such as dynamite to kill or stun fish, making them easier to
collect.
Decreased fish
pop size
Increased
incentive to fish
4.3.5: Case study - Newfoundland Cod Fishery
● Once one of the world's most productive fisheries.
● Overfishing led to collapse in the 1990s.
● Economic and ecological impacts on the region.
https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/sciencebites/chapter/1-5-warming-oceans-
cause-coral-reef-bleaching/
4.3.7: Ocean Acidification
● Oceans absorb a proportion of atmospheric carbon dioxide
● When the gas dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid,
● Increased CO2 levels lower ocean pH.
● Negative impact on shellfish, corals, and marine biodiversity.
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification
Managing Fish
Stocks
4.3.8: Strategies to Reduce Overfishing
Unsustainable exploitation of freshwater and marine ecosystems occurs when
resources like fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic species are harvested at a rate that
exceeds their ability to replenish
4.3.8: Actions at the International Level
International Agreements and Treaties
● UNCLOS: Establishes guidelines for sustainable
management of marine resources, including
exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
● CBD: Promotes international cooperation to
conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable
ecosystem use.
4.3.8: Actions at the International Level
Fishing Quotas
● Set by organizations like ICCAT and NAFO to limit fish catches, maintaining
sustainable population levels.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
● Designated ocean regions with restricted human activities to protect
ecosystems. Supported by IUCN and UNEP, examples include the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park and Ross Sea MPA.
4.3.8: Actions at the National Level
Fishing Permits: Governments control who can fish,
where, and what species, helping to reduce pressure
on vulnerable populations.
Mesh Size Regulations: Controlling net mesh size
reduces bycatch and allows juvenile fish to escape,
helping them reach maturity.
No-Take Zones: Areas where fishing is prohibited,
providing safe havens for species to recover, such as
the Great Barrier Reef.
Fishing Seasons: Seasonal restrictions protect
species during vulnerable periods, like spawning,
ensuring population recovery.
Fishing Quotas: Catch limits are set based on fish
stock assessments to allow populations to replenish,
such as Canada’s Atlantic cod quota system.
4.3.8: Actions at the Local Level
Local Fishing Regulations and Sustainable Practices
● Community-Based Management: like in Papua New Guinea, use local systems such as
seasonal bans and closures to prevent overfishing.
● Inland Freshwater Management (Georgia, USA):
○ Fishing Permits: Required to monitor and enforce fishing regulations.
○ Bag Limits & Size Restrictions: Limits and size rules protect fish populations, e.g.,
Largemouth Bass must be over 12 inches.
○ Fishing Seasons: Seasonal restrictions protect spawning populations.
● Food Labeling: Georgia markets and stores offer certified sustainable seafood,
allowing consumers to support eco-friendly practices.
Sustainable Aquaculture
● Aquaculture: Sustainable fish farming, such as catfish farming in Georgia, helps
meet seafood demand while minimizing environmental impact through methods
like recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
4.3.8: Actions at the individual Level
Consumer Choices and Sustainable Seafood
● Sustainable Seafood: choosing certified options like MSC-labeled (marine stewardship council)
products.
○ MSC is a NGO that prevent overfishing and helps to ensure sustainability of seafood
production.
● Stop eating endangered species. Check this
https://www.sustainablelivingguide.com.au/avoid-eating-endangered-fish.
● Raise awareness with your friends and family, educate the fisherman about the long-term
impacts on their own livelihoods.
4.3.9: Marine Protected Areas
MPA is designated zones where human
activity is restricted to protect
ecosystems.
-Intensive aquaculture: involve building tanks or ponds, stocking fish at high densities,
provide high quality food and water
(+) need small area
(-) habitat destruction, water pollution, depletion of water resources
-Extensive aquavulture: use natural ponds or wtlands, with natural water flows,
fish at lower densities, feed on natural algae,plankton
(-) less productive,need more space
(+) low env impact
- Mariculture: marine aquaculture
- Use pens