Aquaculture Systems and Food Security Integration

Aquaculture has emerged as a cornerstone of global food security strategies by diversifying protein sources, enhancing rural livelihoods and buffering the effects of climate variability on traditional capture fisheries. Modern systems range from extensive smallholder ponds to intensive recirculating facilities, often integrating fish production with crop irrigation, livestock rearing or multi-trophic partnerships. Such integrations improve resource use efficiency by repurposing nutrient-rich effluent for plant growth, reducing waste while bolstering local diets. Innovations in digital monitoring, precision feeding and circular biorefinery approaches further heighten productivity and environmental stewardship. At the landscape scale, integrated models promote crop diversification through pond-dyke agriculture and de novo wetland-based aquaculture, strengthening resilience to droughts and floods. Nutritionally, regular fish consumption contributes high-quality protein and essential micronutrients, underpinning dietary diversity in vulnerable communities. Economic benefits arise from increased household income, market spillovers and value-chain development, fostering poverty alleviation. As policy frameworks evolve to support inclusive business models and gender equity, the aquaculture–food security nexus continues to expand, offering scalable solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, sustainable production and climate action.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Aquaculture Systems and Food Security Integration publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in aquaculture systems and food security integration across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Recirculating aquaculture system: A land-based facility that reuses water after filtration and treatment, enabling tight control over production conditions and reducing environmental discharge.

Integrated aquaculture–agriculture: A farming approach that combines fish culture with crop cultivation or livestock, utilising nutrient-rich effluent to boost productivity and resource efficiency.

Dietary diversity score: A quantitative measure of the number of different food groups consumed over a reference period, used to assess nutritional quality of diets.

Best management practices: A set of operational guidelines designed to optimise production efficiency, minimise environmental impact and ensure sustainable aquaculture intensification.

References

1. Quo vadis - Development of a novel peatland-based recirculating aquaculture multi-trophic pond system (RAMPS) in the Irish midlands with a global orientation. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (2024).
2. Smallholder aquaculture diversifies livelihoods and diets thus improving food security status: evidence from northern Zambia. Agriculture & Food Security (2024).
3. Sustainable intensification of small-scale aquaculture production in Myanmar through diversification and better management practices. Environmental Research Letters (2023).