Aquaculture of Spain, an initiative of the Spanish aquaculture sector dedicated to the sustainable cultivation of fish and algae in seas and rivers, joins Aquaculture Day, which has been celebrated every November 30 since 2012, highlighting the importance of aquaculture in Spain to provide fresh, top-quality food to the population and reinforces its commitment to sustainable development, innovation and the economic and social growth of river and coastal areas.
In recent decades, aquaculture has become an essential source of the food system so that the population can continue eating fish, a nutritious and tasty food that provides high-quality proteins and that the World Health Organization (WHO) itself recommends. Eat three to four times a week to maintain a balanced diet. Specifically, more than half of the fish consumed in the world already comes from aquaculture, according to the latest FAO SOFIA report; Therefore, aquaculture has become one of the most sustainable ways to obtain natural food efficiently to feed the entire population, since without aquaculture there would not be enough fish for everyone.
Furthermore, the aquaculture sector plays a fundamental role within the primary sector, promoting the revitalization of rural, river and coastal areas, diversifying business activity and promoting the economic and social development of these regions, where job opportunities are limited. In fact, it is important to highlight that aquaculture generates more than 10,200 direct jobs in Spain, in addition to the indirect jobs derived from the activity itself. However, the development of aquaculture activity must always take into account environmental sustainability and its social acceptance; only then can it become the most sustainable source of healthy food on the planet.
On the other hand, Spanish aquaculture leads the EU’s aquaculture production and has become a global benchmark in terms of research and innovation, since in Spain there are more scientists working in aquaculture than in any other country in the world. It is evident that the great wealth of natural resources and the great diversity of farming systems and species make Spain a unique aquaculture power in the EU and throughout the world.
In the words of Javier Ojeda, Manager of APROMAR (Aquaculture Business Association of Spain): “It is necessary to continue promoting the sustainable development of aquaculture in our country as an economic engine of rural areas.” And he adds: “We are proud to be an essential part of our country’s food system, guaranteeing the supply of fresh, quality fish for the entire society.”
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