A Brief History of Aquaculture

The controlled farming of aquatic organisms (fish, mollusks, crustaceans, algae) is one of the oldest forms of food production practiced by humankind.

The earliest evidence of aquaculture dates back more than 4,000 years.

In China, around 2500 BC, carp farming in managed ponds began to take shape. The first technical treatises on fish farming appeared very early, notably with Fan Li in the 5th century BC.

Frescoes from ancient Egypt depict tilapia farming in artificial basins (around 2000 BC).

The Roman Empire contributed to the development of coastal fishponds for the farming of marine fish and shellfish. These productions were primarily intended for the elite.

However, these practices remained extensive and relied mainly on natural cycles.

During the Middle Ages, monastic aquaculture reached its peak.

In Europe, aquaculture expanded significantly during the Middle Ages under the influence of monasteries, with the creation of numerous ponds for the farming of carp, pike, and tench. The objective was both nutritional and religious, as fish production ensured a source of protein during fasting periods. This development led to the structuring of the first hydraulic management systems (dikes, sluices, cascading ponds).

This pond-based fish farming has left a lasting mark on European rural landscapes, and many ponds from this period still exist today.

Aquaculture became professionalized and rationalized during the 19th century. This period marked a major turning point with the mastery of artificial reproduction.

The development of salmonid farming (trout and salmon) expanded rapidly in Europe and North America. The first hatchery-based fish farms emerged during this time, primarily aimed at restocking rivers and supporting fisheries. Aquaculture became a fully recognized scientific discipline, attracting growing interest from research institutions.

After the Second World War, aquaculture experienced rapid growth. Advances in water treatment technologies allowed for the intensification of farming systems. Technical progress in nutrition, genetics, pathology, and systems engineering collectively contributed to the development of modern, industrial, commercially oriented aquaculture. New species were successfully farmed, including sea bass, sea bream, and shrimp.

Asia rose to prominence, with China now being the world’s leading aquaculture producer. Aquaculture gradually evolved from a complementary activity into a pillar of global food production, alongside capture fisheries.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, aquaculture has become the fastest-growing animal production sector worldwide.

Current challenges include:

• Environmental sustainability

• Reducing pressure on wild stocks

• Optimizing the use of water and energy

• Continuous improvement of feed quality

The development of innovative systems—such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), offshore aquaculture, and algal farming—makes it possible to envision aquaculture as an industrial activity fully integrated into a value chain.

Today, aquaculture provides more than half of all aquatic products intended for human consumption and plays a central role in global food security.