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According to research carried out by think tank the new Economics Foundation, and the Ocean2012 campaign, the amount of fish that we consume in the UK is almost double the quantity that is fished from British waters. The report highlights the impact of declining fish stocks and rising consumption by putting annual resources on a calendar year and pinpointing the dates when European countries start to eat into catches from elsewhere in the world. If this report is accurate, the date the UK officially became 'dependent' on other fishing stocks was the 15th July, indicating a vast over reliance on imports. 

Ian Campbell from Ocean2012 has said: "Unless we radically change course, we're facing a future of abandoned fishing communities, huge job losses, depleted oceans and a sad end to a great British meal"

Here at Astec, we believe that sustainable, eco-friendly aquaculture can go a long way towards providing a long-term solution to this issue. Our ability to provide a constant supply of near tropical temperature seawater means we are able to cultivate a broad range of marine animals and plants here all year round. Astec could provide the ideal base for conducting research into all aspects of aquaculture, looking at both the immediate and long term challenges that are facing the fishing community and wider society.

When referring to the role of aquaculture in helping to address these issues, a BBC Environmental Correspondent said: "The industry of the future will farm different species, use novel integrated production methods, and explore new physical environments, from city centres to the open ocean." We believe that Astec is already making great strides towards a new future for the aquaculture industry, both in the UK and overseas. 

Learn more about fish farmings new frontiers at http://bbc.in/gSoGAb