520 Aquaculture growth worldwide involves the expansion of cultivated areas, a higher density of aquaculture installations and farmed individuals, and greater use of feed resources produced outside the immediate culture area. To ensure that such development of the sector does not carry negative impacts on the environment and on parts of society due to weak regulation or poor management, an ecosystem approach for aquaculture (EAA) is encouraged. These proceedings consider aspects relevant for an ecosystem-based management in aquaculture. The document also includes two comprehensive reviews covering the status of brackish, marine and freshwater aquaculture within an ecosystem approach perspective.--Publisher's description.

The ecosystem approach to aquaculture provides the conceptual guideline for spatial planning and management. This publication describes the major steps related to these activities. The rationale for and objectives of each step, the ways (methodologies) to implement it, and the means (tools) that are available to enable a methodology are described in a stepwise fashion. Recommendations to practitioners and policy-makers are provided. A separate policy brief accompanies this paper. The benefits from spatial planning and management are numerous and include higher productivity and returns for investors, and more effective mitigation of environmental, economic and social risks, the details of which are provided in this paper.

The Ecosystem approach to aquaculture mangament handbook aims to provide skills and tools to develop in stakeholders and facilitators the necessary know-how to develop an Ecosystem approach to aquaculture managment plans targeting sustainable and climate change resilient aquaculture. The handbook will provide the necessary knowledge on how to: manage aquaculture under holistic approaches; address aquaculture issues and challenges; apply Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management strategies reduce user group conflicts; work cooperatively with other stakeholders; empower communities towards political changes help unlock financial resources to implement plant The handbook also provides the information to understand the principles of EAAM, how to foster cross-sector coordination, how to develop, implement and monitor a plan by applying adaptive management, and will also practice the crucial skills of effective communication, facilitation, and conflict management.

An ecosystem approach to aquaculture is a strategy for the integration of the activity within the wider ecosystem such that it promotes sustainable development, equity and resilience of interlinked social-ecological systems. Being a strategy, the ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA) is not what is done, but rather how it is done. The main objective of the guidelines is to assist countries, institutions and policy-makers in the development and implementation of a strategy to ensure the sustainability of the aquaculture sector, integration of aquaculture with other sectors and its contribution to social and economic development.

As the world's demand for food from aquatic environments continues to increase, the importance of performing aquaculture in an environmentally responsible manner also increases. The aim of this important and thought-provoking book is to stimulate discussion among aquaculture's modern scientific, education and extension communities concerning the principles, practices and policies needed to develop ecologically and socially sustainable aquaculture systems worldwide. Ecological Aquaculture provides fascinating and valuable insights into primitive (and often sustainable) culture systems, and ties these to modern large-scale aquaculture systems. The book is edited, and authored to a considerable degree, by Barry Costa-Pierce who has assembled a team of some of the leading thinkers in the field, providing information spanning a spectrum of activities from artisanal to high technology approaches to producing aquatic organisms in a balanced and environmentally-friendly way. Ecological Aquaculture is an essential purchase for all aquaculture personnel involved in commercial, practical and research capacities. Libraries in research establishments and universities where aquaculture, biological, environmental and aquatic sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this book available on their shelves.