Technological Advances that Led to Growth of Shrimp, Salmon, and Tilapia Farming

Aquaculture has been the world's fastest growing food production sector with an annual growth rate of 8%. Total aquaculture supply increased dramatically from 0.7 mMT in 1950 to 90 mMT in 2012. Growth of the global seafood supply was made possible through adoption of new technologies that brought more control over aquaculture production processes. This review presents evidence of supply-side technological progress that spurred growth in shrimp, salmon, and tilapia production from 1981 to 2012. Greater availability of hatchery-raised post-larvae, better feed formulations, and a shift in preferred shrimp species from Penaeus monodon to Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Litopenaeus vannamei appear to have been critical technological advances that triggered rapid growth of shrimp farming. Nutritionally balanced feed, use of automated labor-saving equipment, genetic selection programs, and development of vaccines triggered growth of Atlantic salmon production. Diffusion of Genetically Improved Farm Tilapia (GIFT) was a key technological development that fueled rapid growth of tilapia farming. Understanding the technological advances that led to growth of shrimp, salmon, and tilapia farming may provide insights for future growth of other aquaculture species.