Importance of aquaculture

A talk with Dr.Ron Hardy director of U of I’s Aquaculture Research Institute about the importance of aquaculture to Idaho's economy and to the world’s problem with hunger. "Idaho is one of the pioneers among the states in aquaculture production. Trout have been grown here by farmers for a century. Trout are grown around the Magic Valley because the spring waters are just perfect, perfect in temperature, perfect water quality grown trout. Idaho produces about 72% of all of the rainbow trout grown in the United States for food. We also have some geothermal water supplies that are used to raise catfish, tilapia and even freshwater ornamental fish the kids keep in their aquariums. In terms of the big picture, globally, fish are the primary animal protein source consumed by over 3 billion people on the planet. Aquaculture now supplies about half of all of the fisheries for seafood products that people consume. The reason is that the wild capture fisheries, traditional fisheries from the sea and fresh water for the most part around the world are fully exploited. They are being fished at their maximum capacity. There's really no opportunity for landings to increase from those sources. So as population grows, as incomes in developing countries increase and people switch to eating more fish, the only source of that fish is a aquaculture.” Idaho’s aquaculture industry generates $100 million annually.