Ecological Aquaculture: The Evolution of the Blue Revolution [Hardcover]

"The contents of this well thought–out and presented book provide much food for thought for those likely to be investiging in managing or legislating about aquaculture in the years to come... particularly valuable for the planners and thinkers among us." Professional Fisherman, 2003.

"... required reading for anyone interested in producing aquatic organisms in an environmentally responsible manner; which means it should be read by everyone involved in aquaculture." Robert R Stickney, National Shellfisheries Association, Quarterly Newsletter, 2003.

"This book will get you to thinking about sustainable aquaculture with a can–do outlook. I recommend the book highly." Dr James W Avault Jr. Aquaculture Magazine, 2002.

As the world′s demand for food from aquatic environments continues to increase, the importance of performing aquaculture in an environmentally responsible manner also increases.

The aim of this important and thought–provoking book is to stimulate discussion among aquaculture′s modern scientific, education and extension communities concerning the principles, practices and policies needed to develop ecologically and socially sustainable aquaculture systems worldwide. Ecological Aquaculture provides fascinating and valuable insights into primitive (and often sustainable) culture systems, and ties these to modern large–scale aquaculture systems.

The book is edited, and authored to a considerable degree, by Barry Costa–Pierce who has assembled a team of some of the leading thinkers in the field, providing information spanning a spectrum of activities from artisanal to high technology approaches to producing aquatic organisms in a balanced and environmentally–friendly way.

Ecological Aquaculture is an essential purchase for all aquaculture personnel involved in commercial, practical and research capacities. Libraries in research establishments and universities where aquaculture, biological, environmental and aquatic sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this book available on their shelves.

This authoritative text on ecological aquaculture, aquaculture ecosystems, and sustainable aquaculture is in three parts. The first defines how ecological principles are applied to aquaculture, discusses aquaculture as an integral part of aquatic resources management and includes an extensive review by Malcolm Beveridge showing how traditional methods can be developed for ecological aquaculture. The second part covers ecological methods for sustainable hatchery, feeds, water quality, and market approaches to aquaculture. The third part of the book gives the context of ecological aquaculture, reviewing important species that feed low on the aquatic food web or on–farm resources, village–level aquaculture ecosystems, sustainable coastal aquaculture, resevoir ecosystems, and the principles of integrating aquaculture ecosystems into "bioshelters". The book ends with an action plan to develop environmentally sound aquaculture for global food security.