Combatting poverty and hunger via sustainable aquaculture

The University of Stirling Institute of Aquaculture’s research has helped improve and promoted examples of best practice of aquaculture efficiency across the world.

The main focus of the work has been researching and implementing carrying capacity within aquatic food production sites.

The Institute’s research into the aquatic food production site’s carrying capacity takes into account physical, ecological, production and socio-economic aspects of the environment.

The work has been supported by funding of more than £1.3m, which was awarded to Stirling from national and international funding organisations such as Irish Government and INAPESCA (Mexico), Darwin Initiative, the Leverhulme/Royal Society, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and EU H2020.

There were several key elements to the research, including using computer-based environmental models, developing a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO-UN) Technical Guidance report, spatial and carrying capacity modelling, and the development of a platform for new policy recommendations for aquaculture licensing through multi-partner collaborations.

Ghana, in particular, has seen declining harvests in the fisheries industry since the 1990s, causing a seafood trade deficit of more than $300m since 2013. The country depends on fish for 60% of its dietary protein and 10% of the population work in the fisheries industry.

The Ghanaian government launched the Ghana National Aquaculture Development Plan in 2012 and created the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in 2013 to rapidly and substantially increase aquaculture production.

Stirling research has allowed the initiative to successfully and sustainably develop the aquaculture industry. This has contributed to the economic security of 58,000 Ghanaians working in aquaculture and increasing food security for the equivalent of two million people, an increase of more than 450,000 people since our work in Ghana began.

Cage aquaculture management has been significantly improved and management zones have been implemented as a result of the Institute’s research at Lake Volta, improving sustainable farming, and improving food security for future generations.

Furthermore, our academics have trained more than 40 representatives from all major NGOs and government departments in Ghana, with 95% of participants finding the work to be beneficial to aquaculture development for the area. Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research also found the work contributed significantly to production.

Professor Trevor Telfer said: “Our work helped build a foundation for greater knowledge and understanding of cage aquaculture management and regulation in Lake Volta.

“A follow up questionnaire in 2019 found that 67% of the same stakeholders still use our tools and training for aquaculture management and practice.”

The success of carrying capacity modelling workshops for the National Fisheries Department (INAPESCA) in Mexico has led to further Mexican government funding being released so work can continue to develop and enhance tilapia production.

The team is also working on a number of new projects in Europe and Africa, looking at further carrying capacity and site suitability research to ensure efficient and sustainable use of resources and its implementation into governance, regulation and certification.

Waterbody scale assessment using spatial models to identify suitable locations for cage aquaculture in large lake systems: A case study in Volta Lake, Ghana

Asmah R, Falconer L, Telfer TC, Karikari AY, Al Wahaibi M, Xia IF, Handisyde N, Quansah KE, Amoah DK, Alshihhi J & Ross LG (2021) Waterbody scale assessment using spatial models to identify suitable locations for cage aquaculture in large lake systems: A case study in Volta Lake, Ghana. Aquaculture Research, 52 (8), pp. 3854-3870. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.15230

Managing aquaculture in multi-use freshwater bodies: the case of Jatiluhur reservoir

Taskov D, Telfer T, Bengtson D, Rice MA, Little D & Murray F (2021) Managing aquaculture in multi-use freshwater bodies: the case of Jatiluhur reservoir. Environmental Research Letters, 16 (4), Art. No.: 044022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abe009

Use of geographic information systems for aquaculture and recommendations for development of spatial tools

Falconer L, Middelboe AL, Kaas H, Ross L & Telfer T (2020) Use of geographic information systems for aquaculture and recommendations for development of spatial tools. Reviews in Aquaculture, 12 (2), pp. 664-677. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12345

Heavy metal concentrations and sediment quality of a cage farm on Lake Volta, Ghana

Karikari AY, Asmah R, Anku WW, Amisah S, Agbo NW, Telfer TC & Ross LG (2020) Heavy metal concentrations and sediment quality of a cage farm on Lake Volta, Ghana. Aquaculture Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14555

The importance of calibrating climate change projections to local conditions at aquaculture sites

Falconer L, Hjøllo SS, Telfer TC, McAdam BJ, Hermansen Ø & Ytteborg E (2020) The importance of calibrating climate change projections to local conditions at aquaculture sites. Aquaculture, 514, Art. No.: 734487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734487