* By Antonio Garza de Yta, Ph.D.
There is no doubt that we live in a time of extremes, of contrasts, of ideological confrontations, of disunity, and the aquaculture sector is no stranger to the environment that surrounds it. In all visions we can find great ideas and opportunities… The diversity of opinions, perspectives and feelings is what creates progress and greatness.
Recently, I have witnessed many debates between different ideologies: the new school versus the old school, the proponents of industry versus the defenders of small scale, the defenders of scientific knowledge versus those who distrust anyone with a degree, those who promote the new trends in animal welfare versus those who think it is an exaggeration of the “woke” movement.
It is true that we all live in a specific environment that has shaped the way we think, act, and feel. Reality, or our reality, depends on our environment.
While the proponents of small-scale aquaculture want to create regional genetic centers, training and technology transfer through extension services, and cooperativism as an integrator of the value chain, the proponents of industrial aquaculture want to create investment funds, private genetic centers, and free competition throughout the value chain, just to mention a few minimum points.
But it is not only these two sides of development, but also those who promote fish vaccination against those who oppose it, those who are 100% in favor of industrially formulated feeds against those who promote small-scale production, semi-intensive aquaculture against hyper-intensive aquaculture, and the list goes on and on.
But whatever our reality and our way of thinking, we must find points on which we can all agree. The first is undoubtedly sustainability: however we develop aquaculture, it must ensure that future generations can enjoy the same or better resources than we do today.
The project must be profitable and improve the quality of life of the people involved; it is not a question of creating poorly paid jobs or involving thousands of people in such a small-scale activity that, no matter how hard those involved try, it will not be profitable.
We must avoid perpetuating poverty and become real agents of change. We have to reduce the environmental footprint to a minimum, either by growing aquatic plants or shellfish, which is the most sustainable way to produce food on the planet, or by intelligent intensification, which makes the best use of resources (land, water, food, energy). We must cultivate our organisms in the best possible conditions, not only for their well-being, but also to maximize their growth, prevent disease and, consequently, increase profits.
Everything in life is a balance, and no one in this world has the absolute truth. Therefore, we must try to put ourselves in the shoes of others before we criticize or condemn. Let us return to the ancient and forgotten art of LISTENING, for only by doing so can we learn.
Let us try to focus on the middle ground, let us think of the common good. The Roman Empire was the greatest empire in history because of its diversity.
If we only surround ourselves with people who think like us, we will hardly innovate. In all visions we can find great ideas and opportunities. It is the diversity of opinions, perspectives, and feelings that creates progress and greatness. So today, more than ever, let us reach out and work together for what we love so much: aquaculture.
* Antonio Garza de Yta is COO of Blue Aqua International-Gulf, Vice President of the International Center for Strategic Studies in Aquaculture (CIDEEA), President of Aquaculture Without Frontiers (AwF), Past President of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), Former Secretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Tam- aulipas, Mexico, and Creator of the Certification for Aquaculture Professionals (CAP) Program with Auburn University.
