This chapter introduces the historical development of aquaculture, insight into the variety of techniques used to rear a range of different organisms, the technology employed to increase productivity, and the environmental and biological consequences of aquaculture in marine ecosystems. As in any food production system, aquaculture creates its own environmental problems. It has led to disease outbreaks, over-harvesting of forage fishes to generate fish-meal, and genetic dilution of wild stocks from farm escapees, and it has caused ecological problems in areas where local carrying capacity has been exceeded. In addition, aquaculture has its own emerging issues that have extended beyond simply a consideration of biological or environmental science. As aquaculture involves the rearing of organisms in an artificial environment, there are potential welfare issues that are of concern to wider society, and concerns about labour conditions (modern slavery) are now much higher on the societal agenda.
