Rethinking material use in low-trophic aquaculture: A global review

Enrique de Paz Miguel

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127091

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Rethinking material use in low-trophic aquaculture: A global review

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Rethinking material use in low-trophic aquaculture: A global review

Enrique de Paz Miguel

Journal of Environmental Management, Vol.393, pp.1-15

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127091

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Abstract

Polymers and plastics

Aquaculture and fisheries stock assessment

Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)

Pollution and contamination

Biomaterials

Sustainability accounting and reporting

Sustainability

Plastic Pollution

Aquaculture

Bivalves

seaweed

Low-trophic aquaculture (LTA), including seaweed and bivalve farming, is often promoted as an environmentally sustainable food production system due to its low input requirements and potential ecological benefits. However, this sustainability narrative is increasingly undermined by the pervasive use of plastic-based gear. This systematic review of 1,768 peer-reviewed publications (2003–2024) reveals that synthetic polymers remain the dominant material in LTA infrastructure, contributing to marine litter, microplastic pollution, and long-term ecological degradation. Although one-third of studies mentioned farming gear, only 6 % (n = 108) disclosed the material composition, indicating a critical gap in sustainability reporting. Among these, over 70 % referenced conventional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Regional and species-level differences emerged: natural materials were more frequently reported in Asian seaweed farming, whereas non-Asian studies were more likely to explore biodegradable or bio-based alternatives. Nevertheless, plastics remained prevalent across all contexts, particularly in bivalve systems (up to 88.2 % in Asia). Sentiment analysis of abstracts revealed regional differences in research framing, with Asian studies adopting a more pragmatic tone and non-Asian studies engaging more critically with environmental issues. These findings underscore the urgent need to address plastic dependence in LTA and promote scalable, regionally tailored alternatives through improved policy, reporting, and innovation pathways.

Details

Title: Rethinking material use in low-trophic aquaculture: A global review
Authors: Enrique de Paz Miguel (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Publication details: Journal of Environmental Management, Vol.393, pp.1-15
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127091
ISSN: 1095-8630; 0301-4797
Copyright note: (c) 2025 The Author. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Grant note: This work was supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, through the AQUADAPT program (Project ID 110332).
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Student Services and Engagement; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991154740202621
Output Type: Journal article

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