AQUATIC BIORESOURCES AND AQUACULTURE: GLOBAL TRENDS AND NATIONAL PROSPECTS

Abstract

The importance of the problems related to food security, food quality and safety, and healthy nutrition of the world’s population in general, and our country in particular, has led to the search for new ways and solutions in this area based on monitoring global trends and national prospects for the development of such an important area of agricultural business as aquaculture, which involves the artificial breeding and cultivation of aquatic bioresources for various needs, covering all living organisms living in the aquatic environment. Aquaculture products are rich in nutrients, including high quality protein, and therefore play a key role in ensuring food security. In addition, it is difficult to overestimate the role of this industry in food security, both globally and nationally, given the growing population and limited natural resources, as aquaculture provides approximately 17% of the world’s animal protein, and in some countries in Asia and Africa this figure exceeds 50%. The main global trends in aquaculture are aimed at increasing fish and seafood production while reducing the negative impact on the environment. Innovations, sustainable use of resources and support from governments and investors will drive the industry’s further development. A trend in this area of agribusiness is the “blue transformation”, a concept that aims to transform food systems that use aquatic bioresources to ensure food security, improve nutrition and create an affordable healthy diet for all people. Aquaculture in Ukraine has significant potential for development due to its natural resources and favorable climatic conditions. However, the industry faces a number of challenges, such as insufficient funding, outdated infrastructure and the effects of military operations. To overcome these problems, it is necessary to implement government programs aimed at supporting the sector, invest in modernizing production and introducing new technologies, attract investments that will help improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the industry, and develop export potential by entering international markets, which will open up new opportunities for growth and diversification. It is also necessary to focus on the sustainable development of aquaculture through the rational use of water resources and ecosystem conservation.