Issues in Aquaculture (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS)) : Revision Note

Issues in Aquaculture

• Issues around aquaculture include:

  • Habitat loss

  • Pollution (with feed, antifouling agents, antibiotics and other medicines added to fish pens)

  • Spread of diseases

  • Escaped species (sometimes involving genetically modified organisms)

  • Ethical Issues and biorights

  • Rights of indigenous cultures

Issues in Aquaculture

• In addition, issues in aquaculture can often arise regarding international conservation legislation

  • Aquaculture must comply with international conservation legislation and regulations to ensure the sustainable use of resources and to protect biodiversity

  • International frameworks such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have implications for aquaculture operations involving endangered or protected species

  • Compliance with these regulations helps prevent the exploitation of threatened species, maintain ecological balance, and ensure the long-term viability of aquaculture practices

• It is essential for the aquaculture industry, policymakers, and stakeholders to engage in dialogue and address all the issues outlined above through ethical frameworks, consultation processes, and responsible governance

• Balancing environmental sustainability, animal welfare, cultural rights, and legal obligations is crucial to maintaining an equitable and socially responsible aquaculture sector

Ethical issues in marine harvesting

Harvesting of seals, whales, and dolphins

• The hunting of marine mammals, such as seals, whales, and dolphins, raises ethical issues related to animal welfare, conservation, and cultural practices

  • Some species of whales and dolphins are endangered, and their hunting is highly controversial

Perspectives on marine mammal hunting

• Animal rights perspective:

  • The hunting of seals, whales, and dolphins is often seen as unethical due to the intelligence and social nature of these animals

  • Activists argue that killing marine mammals is inhumane and unnecessary, particularly when alternatives to animal products are available

    • For example, the hunting of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands (known as the grindadráp) faces international criticism due to concerns over animal cruelty and the sustainability of whale populations

• Indigenous rights perspective:

  • Indigenous groups have traditionally hunted marine mammals for food and cultural reasons

  • For these communities, such as the Inuit, hunting provides food, materials, and a connection to their ancestral traditions

  • Many indigenous groups argue that their hunting practices are sustainable and should be protected as part of their cultural rights

    • For example, the Inuit continue to hunt narwhals and seals as part of their traditional way of life

International Whaling Commission (IWC)

• The IWC regulates whaling, setting limits on how many whales can be hunted each year and which species are protected

• While the IWC has largely banned commercial whaling, some countries, like Japan, have continued to hunt whales for 'scientific purposes'

  • This has been criticised as a loophole for commercial whaling