The Most Important Cultivated Marine Species: An In-Depth Overview of Aquaculture

Dimitrios Pafras

Marine biology PhD Student

5 min read
13/01/2025
The Most Important Cultivated Marine Species: An In-Depth Overview of Aquaculture

Abstract Aquaculture is one of the most rapidly expanding food production industries in the world and plays a major part in global food security and responsible use of marine resources. This article examines, in detail, the major farmed marine species, including fish, shellfish, seaweed, shrimp, and tilapia, alongside their farming practices, economic significance, and the environmental and technical difficulties the sector faces. It is particularly stressed that the advances and a range of strategies needed to improve sustainability in marine aquaculture should be explored.

Introduction Worldwide seafood consumption has increased exponentially in the past few decades because of growing population, urbanization, and rising acceptance of the health benefits of fish and other seafood products. Due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change, traditional capture fisheries have reached their maximum capacity, making aquaculture a necessary solution to the growing demand.

Key Cultivated Marine Species

1. Fish

Fish farming is the main source of marine aquaculture output worldwide. A number of species are notable for economic and nutritional value, as follows:

  • European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Native to the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas, sea bass is a flagship species of Mediterranean aquaculture. It is prized for its amenability to crop systems and its high market price in Europe. Sea bass aquaculture makes use of modern breeding methods like selective breeding and hatchery breeding in order to maintain quality and supply at a reliable level.

  • Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata): Known for its delicate flavor and firm texture, gilthead sea bream is another staple of Mediterranean aquaculture.
  • Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar): Salmon is the most extensively farmed marine fish and the species with the greatest cultivation in Northern Europe, North America, and Chile. Innovations such as offshore aquaculture and closed containment systems have transformed salmon farming into a highly efficient and technologically advanced industry.

  • Groupers (Epinephelus spp.): Found in Asia and the Middle East, groupers are commercially farmed in hatcheries and marine cages. Nonetheless, the industry has concerns about slow growth rates and disease management, which are being addressed by genetic selection and vaccine development.

  • Tuna (Thunnus spp.): Bluefin tuna farming is a niche but lucrative sector. Widespread use of wild juvenile capture is the norm for agricultural production, but full-cycle farming technologies are being engineered to minimize exploitation of wild populations.

2. Shellfish and Mollusks

Shellfish and mollusks are not only valuable food sources but also contribute to ecosystem services, such as water filtration and habitat enhancement:

  • Mussels (Mytilus spp.): Mussels are one of the most environmentally friendly food sources, with no further feed input needed since they use water to absorb plankton and organic matter. Longline and raft systems are commonly used for mussel farming in coastal areas.

  • Oysters (Crassostrea spp.): Oyster farming is a long-standing practice, with current approaches aiming for better yield and resistance to diseases.

  • Scallops (Pecten spp.): Suspension systems are becoming more widely farmed for the benefits of both predator protection and promoting growth conditions for scallops. The industry is growing in countries such as Japan, China, and Canada.

  • Octopus (Octopus vulgaris): Farming octopus is a relatively new frontier in aquaculture. The species’ high growth rates and premium market prices make it an attractive candidate, but challenges such as cannibalism and dietary requirements must be addressed to scale production.

3. Shrimp

Shrimp farming is a significant contributor to global aquaculture production:

  • Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): As the dominant species in global shrimp aquaculture, whiteleg shrimp is favored for its rapid growth and high feed conversion efficiency. Most farming occurs in Asia and Latin America, employing extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive systems. Biofloc technology, which uses beneficial microbes, is gaining popularity as a sustainable approach.

  • Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon): Known for its large size and rich flavor, black tiger shrimp farming is prominent in Asia. However, susceptibility to disease outbreaks remains a major challenge. Improved biosecurity measures and selective breeding programs are being implemented to enhance productivity.

4. Tilapia

Tilapia, often referred to as "the aquatic chicken," is a freshwater fish that has adapted to brackish and marine farming systems:

  • Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Widely farmed due to its adaptability, fast growth, and resistance to diseases, Nile tilapia is a vital protein source in developing countries. Farming systems range from extensive pond culture to high-tech recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

  • Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus): Although less common than Nile tilapia, this species is cultivated in regions with saline water. Genetic improvement programs are focused on enhancing growth rates and salt tolerance.

Tilapia farming has gained traction due to its relatively low environmental footprint and potential for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems, where tilapia can be farmed alongside species such as shrimp and seaweed.

5. Seaweed

Seaweed farming continues to grow for its multipurpose applications and environmentally benign nature. Seaweed is used in food, cosmetics, biofuels, and as a feed supplement in animal farming:

  • Red Algae (Porphyra spp.): Most famous as a nori ingredient, red algae are widely cultivated in Asia, especially in Japan, Korea, and China.

  • Brown Algae (Laminaria spp.): Often referred to as kelp, brown algae are farmed for their alginate content, a polysaccharide used in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

  • Green Algae (Ulva spp.): Alternatively called sea lettuce, green algae are becoming increasingly valuable as a source of nutrients for human consumption and aquaculture animals.

Farming Methods

Marine aquaculture employs a wide range of farming methods tailored to particular species and environmental circumstances:

  • Open Water Systems: Floating cages and nets are common for finfish culture. These systems use natural water movements to oxygenate, but are susceptible to environmental fluctuations and outbreaks of disease.

  • Suspended Culture: This technique is primarily used for shellfish rearing and involves cultivating organisms on ropes, nets, and rafts. It minimizes seabed disturbance and facilitates easy harvesting.

  • Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): IMTA combines the farming of multiple species, such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed, in a single system. Excrement of one species provides food for the other, thereby increasing resource use efficiency and decreasing the environmental footprint.

  • Land-Based Systems: Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) allow full control over water quality and environmental parameters, making them suitable for the production of high-value species such as salmon, grouper, and shrimp.

Innovations and Future Directions

To address these challenges, the aquaculture sector is funding innovation such as:

  • Selective Breeding: Genetic improvement schemes are leading to improved growth performance, disease resistance, and feed conversion in aquacultural species.

  • Offshore Aquaculture: Transplanting farms to deeper waters solves problems with coastal activities and minimizes environmental disturbance.

  • Alternative Feeds: Sustainable food ingredients (algae, insects, and single-celled protein) are creating less dependence on wild fish.

  • Automation and AI: Smart technologies are being used to benefit farm management, for example, in monitoring water quality or optimizing feeding.

Conclusion

Marine aquaculture plays a critical role in responding to the increasing global demand for food. By adopting sustainable practices, technological solutions, and the accountable utilization of resources, the sector can continue to grow its contribution to global food production and environmental management.

Further reading

Salmon Farming: Does nutrition & transparency really matter?

Shellfish Farming: Environment, Economy & Marine Life

Atlantic Pearl Oyster: Lessepsian Migration and Reproductive Dynamics

Restorative Aquaculture: Principles for Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

Seaweed value added products in food industry & pharmaceuticals

How Feed Materials Affect the Growth and Economic Production of Nile Tilapia