Ocean Farming

Author: Ella Chen

Editors: Roan Aly, Oscar Chen

Artist: Christina Chen

With the ever-expanding human population and the limits on the amount of land that the Earth can provide, it is inevitable that the amount of crops produced on land will be insufficient to sustain the population. Because of this, farmers have begun to find agriculture-suited land on a larger scale--the ocean. By utilizing the ocean’s resources, we can protect the ocean’s biodiversity while also resolving the issues created from our growing population. 

The ocean has always played a huge role in the food industry as the primary source for seafood such as fish, crab, lobster, and shellfish. However, the traditional ways in which these food sources are obtained have become topics of concern. Marine habitats are being destroyed due to overfishing and chemical usage, which could potentially lead to the extinction of certain species. Ocean farming provides a viable alternative to these consequences because it involves the cultivation of marine species such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed in controlled environments. There are many ways ocean farming is conducted, each with its own benefits and contributions to the environment. 

The three main types of ocean farming are shellfish farming, finfish farming, and seaweed farming. Shellfish farming involves the production of shellfish such as oysters and clams which contribute to the removal of pollutants from the water. Shellfish are filter feeders, which means that as they feed, they remove unnecessary or excess nutrients from the water, improving the water quality and the overall health of the ecosystem. Finfish farming is the fostering of fish species like salmon and tuna in various aquatic environments such as floating cages, tanks, and ponds. By cultivating the fish population, a consistent supply of fish is produced, which combats the issues created by overfishing. Furthermore, finfish farming helps reduce the depletion of wild fish stocks, allowing them to thrive in their natural habitats. Lastly, seaweed farming involves the growing and harvesting of marine algae such as kelp, nori, and dulse. Seaweed farming not only has nutritional benefits but also has important environmentally sustainable effects. Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the air, helping reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and ocean acidification caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide into the ocean. Also, seaweed is a highly nutritious food that is rich in vitamins and minerals, and it can be used in a variety of industries such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Most importantly, seaweed can be processed into biofuels, which are important renewable energy sources. The benefits of ocean farming span beyond simply providing a source of food; it has a multitude of environmental and economic benefits and contributes to the protection of our planet. 

On the contrary, there are still some drawbacks to ocean farming that must be addressed to ensure that ocean farming remains a viable solution for the environment. It is important to note that the species used in ocean farms are typically more susceptible to diseases due to the large populations contained in the farms. If these diseases are spread to wild species, there can be detrimental effects on the local ecosystems, including mass declines in population sizes. Moreover, if farmed species manage to escape into wild ecosystems, they can cause major disruptions in them. In that case, they would end up competing with the native wild species for resources, negatively impacting both parties. 

Similarly to the many of the new discoveries we made, ocean farming brings both hope and doubt to society. While ocean farming has great potential for improving food insecurity and protecting the environment, the issues that could potentially arise pose an important question: Is our society ready to adopt such practices fully? All in all, the fact that the vast ocean is a feasible resource for farming proposes a window of opportunity that could determine the future of the world. 

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Citations:

NOAA Fisheries. “Understanding Marine Aquaculture.” NOAA, 2019,

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-marine-aquaculture.

Porter, Audrey. “What Is Aquaculture? An Overview of Sustainable Ocean Farming.” PBS,

24 June 2024, www.pbs.org/articles/a-guide-to-hope-in-the-water-and-aquaculture.

“Regenerative Ocean Farming for a Healthier Planet.” Regenerative Farmers of America,

www.regenerativefarmersofamerica.com/what-is-regenerative-ocean-farming.