Fish production and the managment of natural resources: the role of aquaculture for economic-environmental sustainability

Fish fauna is a renewable and mobile natural resource whose reproduction and movements are still relatively uncontrolled by man. The maintenance of a satisfactory level of sea fishing activities requires a healthy marine environment if we are to preserve the species. After comparing two different natural systems of food procurement (livestock and fish rearing) and highlighting the advantages of fish farming, with respect to pasturage for the production of lowcost animal protein, the analysis addresses the sustainability of different productive systems in the fisheries sector. An Italian case study is presented on a special form of extensive fish farming, vallicoltura, which demonstrates a compatible use of the highly sensitive lagoon environments.