U.S. mariculture production of bivalve molluscs-those cultivated in the marine environment-has roughly doubled over the last 25 years. Although mariculture operations may expand the production of seafood without additional exploitation of wild populations, they still depend upon and affect natural ecosystems and ecosystem services. Every additional animal has an incremental effect arising from food extraction and waste excretion. Increasing domestic seafood production in the United States in an environmentally and socially responsible way will likely require the use of policy tools, such as best management practices (BMPs) and performance standards. BMPs represent one approach to protecting against undesirable consequences of mariculture. An alternative approach to voluntary or mandatory BMPs is the establishment of performance standards for mariculture. Variability in environmental conditions makes it difficult to develop BMPs that are sufficiently flexible and adaptable to protect ecosystem integrity across a broad range of locations and conditions. An alternative that measures performance in sustaining key indicators of ecosystem state and function may be more effective. Because BMPs address mariculture methods rather than monitoring actual ecosystem responses, they do not guarantee that detrimental ecosystem impacts will be controlled or that unacceptable impact will be avoided. Ecosystem Concepts for Sustainable Bivalve Mariculture finds that while performance standards can be applied for some broad ecosystem indicators, BMPs may be more appropriate for addressing parameters that change from site to site, such as the species being cultured, different culture methods, and various environmental conditions. This book takes an in-depth look at the environmental, social, and economic issues to present recommendations for sustainable bivalve mariculture.

Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment focuses primarily on the issues surrounding environmental sustainability of shellfish aquaculture. The chapters in this book provide readers with the most current data available on topics such as resource enhancement and habitat restoration. Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment is also an invaluable resource for those looking to develop and implement environmental best management practices. Edited one of the world's leading shellfish researchers and with contributions from around the world, Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment is the definitive source of information for this increasingly important topic. View the Executive Summary here: http://seagrant.uconn.edu/publications/aquaculture/execsumm.pdf

Biology of Oysters offers scientific insights into the structure and function of oysters. Written by an expert in the field of shellfish research, this book presents more than 50 years of empirical research literature. It provides an understanding of the edible oysters, in order to equip students and researchers with the background needed to undertake further investigations on this model marine invertebrate. - Presents empirical research findings in context with the relevant theory and its expression in computer models - Includes information on studies of other bivalve species such as mussels and clams - Offers a description of the whole organism to provide a frame of reference for further research - Includes research developments in the phylogeny, physiology and ecology of oysters

ÿFish?including finfish and shellfish?are an important item in the human food basket, contributing 17 percent of the global animal-based protein supply in 2010. They are an especially valuable food source in developing countries, where more than 75 percent of the world?s fish consumption occurs. In addition to protein, fish contain micronutrients and longchain omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for maternal and child health, but often deficient in the diets of the poor. However, the global supply of wild-caught fish has long peaked and is unlikely to rise again unless overexploited stocks are rehabilitated. As world fish consumption continues to grow, aquaculture (fish farming) has emerged to meet demand. Already, just under half of all fish that people consume come from aquaculture, which is one of the world?s fastest-growing animal food producing sectors. With the supply of wild-caught fish stagnant, any future increase in world fish consumption will need to be supplied by aquaculture. This working paper explores the potential role of aquaculture in meeting global fish demand in 2050, finding that aquaculture production will need to more than double by midcentury. The authors examine scenarios of aquaculture?s growth and environmental impacts in 2050 and close with a series of recommendations for how to sustainably grow aquaculture production.

This book presents a solutions based approach to reducing and removing CO2 from the atmosphere transforming it into solid (crystalline) CaCO3 through the ability of marine organisms such as molluscs, crustacea, corals, and coccolithophore algae. The overwhelming advantage of this approach is that it promises enhanced climate mitigation in comparison to planting forests, industrial/engineering carbon capture and storage process. It also provides a sustainable food resource. Furthermore, it would improve the ocean's biodiversity at the same time as the excess atmospheric CO2 released by our use of fossil fuels is returned to the place it belongs - as a present day fossil, safely out of the atmosphere to the distant future. If the level of finance and global effort that are readily foreseen for forest management and flue gas treatments were applied to expansion of global shellfish cultivation, curative amounts of carbon dioxide could be permanently removed from the atmosphere within a few decades. The concept presented in this book could have a profound influence on the life of the planet.

The Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010 brought together a wide range of experts and important stakeholders and reviewed the present status and trends in aquaculture development, evaluated the progress made in the implementation of the 2000 Bangkok Declaration and Strategy, addressed emerging issues relevant to aquaculture development, assessed opportunities and challenges for future aquaculture development and built consensus on advancing aquaculture as a global, sustainable and competitive food production sector. This volume, yet another joint effort of FAO and NACA, brings the outcome of the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010, the much-needed clear and comprehensive technical information on how aquaculture could be mobilized to alleviate global poverty and improve food and nutrition security in the coming decades.

With well-known editors and an international team of contributors, New Technologies in Aquaculture begins by focusing on the genetic improvement of farmed species and control of reproduction then reviews key issues in health, diet and husbandry, such as the control of viral and parasitic diseases, diet and husbandry techniques to improve disease resistance, advances in diets for particular fish species and the impact of harmful algal bloom on shellfisheries aquaculture. It examines the design of different aquaculture production systems, including offshore technologies, tank-based recirculating systems and ponds, and key environmental issues and concludes with coverage of farming new species.

Topics covered: 1) Impact of aquaculture on the aquatic environment; 2) Husbandry and environmental quality monitoring; 3) Animal health and the environment; 4) Biological interactions in wildlife; 5) Health and safety in the work environment; 6) Planning strategies for sustainable development of aquaculture; 7) The social and economic impact of aquaculture; 8) Recommendations for managing the environmental impact.