Aquatic Food Production Systems (4.3)

Aquatic food production systems

Systems that produce food from aquatic environments, including fisheries and aquaculture.

Phytoplankton

Microalgae that form the base of the aquatic food web, contributing 99% of primary productivity in oceans.

Zooplankton

Small marine organisms that feed on phytoplankton and their waste, playing a critical role in the aquatic food web.

Capture fisheries

The harvesting of wild fish from their natural habitats.

Aquaculture

The farming of fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled environments.

Continental Shelf

A submerged border of a continent extending into the sea, where 50% of marine productivity occurs.

Upwelling

A process that brings nutrient-rich waters from the deep oceans to the surface, enhancing marine productivity.

Dredging

A fishing method that drags a metal bag across the ocean floor, often resulting in high bycatch.

Trawling

A method of fishing that involves dragging a net through the water behind a boat.

Blast Fishing

An illegal fishing technique using explosives to kill fish.

Tragedy of the Commons

The overuse and exploitation of a shared resource due to individual self-interest.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

The largest amount of a fish stock that can be harvested without compromising its reproduction.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain without degrading.

Optimal Sustainable Yield

A method of harvesting based on total mass of catch rather than number of individual fish, aiming for greater long-term sustainability.