GHG Emissions in aquatic production systems and marine fisheries

In 2012, a total of 148 million tonnes of fish was supplied to the world by aquaculture and capture fisheries, of which 128 million tonnes of fish was used as food for people (FAO, 2012). Fish and fish products are an important source of protein and micronutrients in nutrition. These products accounted in 2009 for 16,6% of the world’s population intake of animal protein and 6,5% of all protein consumed (FAO, 2012a). Therefore, it is an important global food source for many people. Available knowledge on the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) released from aquaculture systems and capture fisheries is rather limited. In 2012, FAO organized an expert workshop on greenhouse gas emissions strategies and methods in seafood (FAO, 2012b). The conclusion of this workshop is that no sound estimation of global GHG emissions can be made as only few data and assessments are available for mainly large scale fish production (gadoids and salmonids) at company level in developed countries. Higher level assessments at industry group, national and global level requires generic approaches and filling of the data gap concerning GHG emissions related to fish production in Asia and Africa.