Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): A technology for uplifting rural economy and bio - mitigation for environmental sustainability.

Abstract

The growth of aquaculture at the global level involves an increase in area under cultivation, a higher density of aquaculture installations and species cultured, with greater use of formulated feed resources. When unregulated and badly managed, aquaculture creates negative impacts on the environment. This necessitates engineering new aquaculture systems that offer increased environmental sustainability, economic stability, lower production costs, multiple species culture options, societal acceptability and risk reduction while ensuring improved outputs. The EAA (Ecosystem Approach for Aquaculture) promotes the efficient use of nutrient resources, as well as the opportunity of diverse products and benefits while reducing impacts, and therefore integrated aquaculture becomes a very important practical way to implement EAA (FAO, 2008). Beneficial environmental effects to bio mitigate waste production and to utilise resources effectively by farming multiple species will increase the resilience of the operation with reduced risks.