Indicators of resource use efficiency and environmental performance in fish and crustacean aquaculture

The aquaculture industry is under increasing pressure to make production more resource efficient and environmentally responsible. Application of better management practices is the main approach for improving the environmental performance of aquaculture. There are, however few numerical indicators for comparing resource use and waste generation for culture of common species and by different grow-out techniques. Indicators are proposed for evaluating the efficiency with which feed, protein, fish meal, nutrients, liming materials, water, land, and energy are used in aquaculture. In addition, methods for evaluating amounts of nutrients and other possible pollutants generated by production facilities are suggested. The indicators are designed to reveal the quantities of resources used, or of waste discharged, per tonne of production. This will simplify comparisons among species and production systems and facilitate comparisons with other kinds of animal agriculture.