Real World Applications
Here you can find links to real world applications and connections related to aquaculture or materials covered in TinySea.
Video Playlist
Check out this video playlist that introduces what aquaculture is, what it is important, and real-world aquaculture operations! Click here to watch the entire playlist on YouTube. Or, view each video individually by clicking on them below.
Sustainable Seafood
Well-managed and responsible fisheries and aquaculture productions are important for our food supply and the health of the environment. Sustainable seafood is seafood that has minimal harmful impacts on the environment and ensures fair working conditions while supporting livelihoods. Seafood can be made more sustainable by preventing overfishing, preventing pollution, managing disease, and more. Read more about sustainable seafood and fishing and farming methods here.
Fisheries and Coral Reefs
Many fish species rely on coral reefs for food and shelter, which is why you see so many fish around corals reefs if you’ve ever visited on in person or seen pictures of one. Not only do the fish rely on the coral, but the corals also rely on the fish! The fish prevent overgrowth of algae and pests, and provide nutrients. This is known as a symbiotic relationship, both the fish and the corals benefit!
However, this relationship is threatened by overfishing, which is when fish catch rates are too high and the fish can not reproduce fast enough. Overfishing is not only bad for fish populations, but its effects can be seen in the entire food web and ecosystem.
Without fish, algae grows much faster, and an overgrowth of algae can lead to the death of the corals. This means an unhealthy and unproductive coral reef ecosystem, and trouble for many different marine organisms that depend on reefs at some point in their lives. These interactions show the importance of balanced ecosystems and trophic levels, and the benefits of sustainable fishing and consumption!
source: NOAA Fisheries. How are Fisheries and Coral Reefs Connected. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/how-are-fisheries-and-coral-reefs-connected