Circular Aquaculture Innovation/Global/2020
Editor’s Note: The Circular Economy Concept and Aquaculture
World Aquaculture Society
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This 2020 Editor’s Note from the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), titled The Circular Economy Concept and Aquaculture, provides an introductory commentary on how circular economy principles apply to aquaculture. The circular economy aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, minimise waste and regenerate natural systems, in contrast to linear take-make-dispose models. The note frames waste as a resource, explaining how by-products from aquaculture, such as nutrients, sludge and processing residues, can be recovered and used for other purposes, including fertiliser, energy or feed. It draws on examples of integrated agriculture-aquaculture, including traditional Asian nutrient-recycling systems such as rice-fish and pond-crop-livestock integration, which have long applied circular principles. Importantly, the note also acknowledges the added cost and complexity involved in waste recovery and recycling, cautioning that circularity is not automatically profitable or simple to implement. Classed as contextual evidence under Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency, it is a short learning material rather than an empirical study. It is useful as a good primer for orientation and training sessions, for introducing circular economy concepts to students and stakeholders, and for framing discussions about the opportunities and practical challenges of circular aquaculture in Southeast Asia.
Additional Details
- Author(s)
- World Aquaculture Society
- Type
- Learning material / commentary
- Aquaculture / Fisheries Dimension
- Integrated agriculture–aquaculture; traditional Asian nutrient-recycling systems
- Relevance to Climate Aquaculture
- Contextual
- Thematic Area
- Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency
- Climate Issue
- Framing waste as a resource
- Adaptation / Key Contribution
- Introductory framing of circularity, including the added cost and complexity of waste recovery
- How to Use / Notes
- Good primer for orientation and training sessions