What is Aquaculture? Aquaculture is the adapting, breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in natural or man-made aquatic environments, including ponds, tanks, raceways, and the ocean.

Surprise #1 – Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing industry in the world today. This is similar growth rate as cellular phones!

Aquaculture has grown at an average rate of 8.8 percent per year globally since 1970. Hawaii has ideal water, climate, land, and technology resources for aquaculture, and should be part of this explosive growth. Unfortunately, Hawaii’s aquaculture industry represents unrealized potential.

Surprise #2 – Within two decades most of the world’s seafood will come from aquaculture

Global demand for seafood is increasing, but wild caught fish stocks are being depleted faster than they can reproduce.

Surprise #3 – Americans consume an average of 16.5 lbs. of seafood per person per year, but in Hawaii we consume an average of almost 45 lbs

Seafood is an important part of our island cuisine. Demand continues to rise, as the health benefits of seafood are becoming more widely known.

Surprise #4 – In Hawaii we import about 75% of our seafood

Aquaculture can help decrease our dependence on foreign sources of food.

Surprise #5 – Aquaculture is deeply rooted in Hawaiian tradition and culture. However, only a small % of the state funds is directed at conservation of this unique educational tool and ecotourism-potential cultural asset.

Hawaiians have built and maintained fishponds as a food source for centuries.

Surprise #6 – Hawaii’s aquaculture industry produces more than 30 different species of aquatic plants and animals

Included categories are finfish, shellfish, microalgae, seaweeds, ornamentals, and other specialty products. Most farms are small family-run operations.

Surprise #7 – Hawaii provides about 90% of the famous “Specific Pathogen Free” shrimp brood stock

Never heard of it? Thanks to our local excellent scientists, Hawaii’s unique SPF shrimp is considered the gold standard for disease-free breeding shrimp. Hawaii provides a significant percentag of the world’s supply to aqua farmers across the globe.

Surprise #8 – Aquaculture best practices are eco-friendly. Hawai’i farmers believe in responsible aquaculture

When practiced sustainably, aquaculture can benefit the environment by reducing pressure on wild stocks and helping to rebuild depleted species. Hawaii’s aquatic farmers are embracing technologies that recycle and reuse resources, conserve water, and take care of the land.

Surprise #9 – Aquaculture creates hi-tech, high wage jobs

Technical knowledge is necessary for aquatic farming operations. Demand is also created for jobs in research, training, professional conferences, degree education, and consulting services.

Surprise #10 – Aquaculture needs your support to thrive

While it is clear that aquatic farming has the potential to contribute enormously to Hawaii’s economy and food security, growth will only happen with the nurturing support of every person and of course our government leaders.