Reflection On Aquaculture

Biotechnology has helped re-shape how we look at the world today. Its impact is significant in every aspect of human life, be it pharmaceuticals or stem cell research. I have chosen to do my reflection on Aquatic Biotechnology as aquaculture and fish farming have become integral to increasing and improving quality of food supply the world over. Despite a significant improvement in agricultural practices throughout the world, the growing world population poses a threat to food security. Thus, there has been a significant increase in investment in Aquaculture and Marine farming, not only in the aspect of increasing food supply, but also in identification of ‘novel genes’ to improve human healthcare.

According to the FAO, aquaculture means “the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc.” (FAO, 2011). Singapore’s significant fishing industry is thriving despite the limited sea space. The per year consumption of fish is approximately 100,000 tonnes. Various different species such as sea bass, snappers, groupers etc. are a part of the local aquaculture.1

The growth in Aquaculture is due to the fact that it is seen as an initiative to increase world food supply by enhancing the domestic as well as commercial use of fish stocks. Marine culture in Singapore aims to stabilize the