Animal protein consumption has more than doubled in developing countries over the last thirty years whilst remaining relatively stable in developed countries. Aquatic products have made a considerable contribution to this (world consumption has doubled, from 6 to 14 kg/person/year), comparable to pork products. The prospects for 2020 show that fishing and aquaculture products will contribute equally to world food supplies. Fish farming looks like becoming a major option in the future for emerging and developing countries.The success of such a project relies on focusing on research areas like fish nutrition and food, the domestication of new species, the optimisation of breeding systems, joint construction of innovations and introducing sustainable development approaches.
The basic elements of these problem areas are compiled in this one-off themed issue of "Cahiers Agricultures" which includes thirty articles in a single publication of 232 pages.