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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295560

Title: Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center

Author
item Webster, Carl

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2013
Publication Date: 10/22/2013
Citation: Webster, C.D. 2013. Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Available: http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?search=1&entryID=7536.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aquaculture (fish farming) has played an ever-increasing role in providing people with fish, shrimp, and shellfish. Aquaculture is currently the fastest growing sector of global food production and in 2011 totaled 60 million tons valued at $119 billion. The production of food-fish from aquaculture has increased at an average annual growth rate of 8.8% worldwide from 1980 to 2010. Currently, approximately 50% of the seafood people consume in the U.S. is produced by aquaculture, an increase from almost 0% in 1970. Further, in the coming decades, aquaculture will be required to provide an even larger share. If current projections are realized, human population will grow from its current 7.1 billion people to 9 billion people by 2050. Many areas of the world are subject to malnutrition and hunger which will only be exacerbated by an increase in population. Fish and seafood are highly nutritious, comprised of essential amino acids (protein), fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Approximately 50% of the world’s population (3.5 billion people) rely on fish to supply 20% of their intake of protein. To provide adequate protein to people, aquaculture production must increase. It has been estimated that an increase in meat production of 200 million tons needs to occur if the human population is to have enough protein by 2050. If you project current aquaculture growth to 2050, approximate production will increase by more than 3 times current levels, meaning that if aquaculture can sustainably continue to increase at its previous levels, all of the human population’s protein needs could be supplied by aquaculture. This article will highlight the research accomplishments of the Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center and how the facility is important to U.S. aquaculture.