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ABSTRACT
Crespi, V.; Lovatelli, A.
Aquaculture in desert and arid lands: development constraints and opportunities.
FAO Technical Workshop. 6–9 July 2010, Hermosillo, Mexico.
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Proceedings No. 20. Rome, FAO. 2011. 202 pp.
Aquaculture in desert and arid lands has been growing steadily over the last decade
thanks to the modern technologies and alternative energy sources that have allowed
water in these places of extremes to be exploited more effectively and more efficiently, using it for both crop irrigation and production of fish.
This publication presents the evolution of desert and arid lands aquaculture in the past
few decades in seven countries and regions (Australia, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Southern
Africa, the United States of America and Central Asia) describing the achievements of a
number of farming operations, which demonstrate the significant potential for farming
commercial aquatic organisms using geothermal, fresh and brackish waters. The global
overview on desert aquaculture development shows, through the use of maps and tables,
those countries with vast extensions of arid territories that should be better investigated for potential aquaculture development.
Limiting factors were extensively discussed during the workshop, and several
measures were identified and proposed. Desert conditions are characterized by high day
temperatures, cold winter nights, high solar radiation, scarce precipitation and very low
relative humidity. The experts reached consensus on the definition of aquaculture in the
desert and arid lands, which was defined as follows: “Aquaculture activities practised
in desert and arid lands characterized by low precipitation (<250 mm/year), high solar
radiation, high rate of evaporation, using subsurface and surface water”.
At the end of the workshop, a series of recommendations were elaborated by the
experts to assist FAO Member countries wishing to generate a favourable national
environment to promote sustainable aquaculture development.
Limited water supply remains the single largest constraint for aquaculture
development in arid and semi-arid regions; however, where the resource is available, the
development of integrated aqua-agriculture systems may certainly provide economic
output opportunities from such resource-limited regions. Such farming systems may
also enable the production of highly priced fish, vegetables and fruits all year round.
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