The Local Turn in a Global Sea: Identifying Sustainability Trade‐Offs in Regionalized Marine Aquaculture Systems

@article{Krause2025,
  Title = {The Local Turn in a Global Sea: Identifying Sustainability Trade‐Offs in Regionalized Marine Aquaculture Systems},
  Author = {Krause, Gesche and Filgueira, Ramón and Ahmed, Nesar and Alexander, Karen A. and Asif, Furqan and Fanning, Lucia and Ferse, Sebastian C. A. and Fuchs, Nike and Grant, Jon and Guillen, Jordi and Hörterer, Christina and Johnson, Teresa R. and Kaiser, Matthias and Kite‐Powell, Hauke L. and Kreiss, Cornelia M. and Lipton, Doug and Marin, Sandra L. and Mikkelssen, Eirik and Nahuelhual, Laura and Stead, Selina M. and van den Burg, Sander W. K. and Villasante, Sebastián},
  Editor = {},
  Journal = {Reviews in Aquaculture},
  Year = {2025},
  Volume = {17},
  Doi = {10.1111/raq.70071},
  Abstract = {Marine aquaculture, like the broader seafood industry, relies heavily on international trade and global supply chains for both production and sales. Recent global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East, and trade tensions, have exposed the social and economic vulnerabilities inherent in a globalized production system. In response, these events have sparked growing interest in transitioning to localized and regional supply chain models. Calls to “buy national” and support domestic economies highlight this trend toward regionalization. This study explores the sustainability implications of regionalizing marine aquaculture by examining the four key segments of the supply chain. These are (1) upstream inputs and resources (2) aquaculture production (3) downstream added value-processing and (4) distribution–transportation. Potential benefits of regional production models include increased resilience to disruptions, lower transportation-related carbon emissions, and support for local economies. However, such models may also introduce trade-offs, including reduced production efficiency, supply and sales limitations, and implications for social, cultural, and governance structures. Our analysis reveals that the sustainability outcomes of regionalization are complex and context-dependent. It is influenced by the specific characteristics of existing supply chains and the regional contexts in which they operate. While regionalization may offer advantages in certain contexts, it does not guarantee improved sustainability. Thus, it is crucial to critically assess the assumption that regionalization inherently leads to improved sustainability outcomes. Proactive evaluation of these dynamics is essential to develop strategies that maximize benefits while addressing potential trade-offs.},
}

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Krause, Gesche
AU  - Filgueira, Ramón
AU  - Ahmed, Nesar
AU  - Alexander, Karen A.
AU  - Asif, Furqan
AU  - Fanning, Lucia
AU  - Ferse, Sebastian C. A.
AU  - Fuchs, Nike
AU  - Grant, Jon
AU  - Guillen, Jordi
AU  - Hörterer, Christina
AU  - Johnson, Teresa R.
AU  - Kaiser, Matthias
AU  - Kite‐Powell, Hauke L.
AU  - Kreiss, Cornelia M.
AU  - Lipton, Doug
AU  - Marin, Sandra L.
AU  - Mikkelssen, Eirik
AU  - Nahuelhual, Laura
AU  - Stead, Selina M.
AU  - van den Burg, Sander W. K.
AU  - Villasante, Sebastián
TI  - The Local Turn in a Global Sea: Identifying Sustainability Trade‐Offs in Regionalized Marine Aquaculture Systems
T2  - Reviews in Aquaculture
PY  - 2025
VL  - 17
DO  - 10.1111/raq.70071
AB  - Marine aquaculture, like the broader seafood industry, relies heavily on international trade and global supply chains for both production and sales. Recent global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East, and trade tensions, have exposed the social and economic vulnerabilities inherent in a globalized production system. In response, these events have sparked growing interest in transitioning to localized and regional supply chain models. Calls to “buy national” and support domestic economies highlight this trend toward regionalization. This study explores the sustainability implications of regionalizing marine aquaculture by examining the four key segments of the supply chain. These are (1) upstream inputs and resources (2) aquaculture production (3) downstream added value-processing and (4) distribution–transportation. Potential benefits of regional production models include increased resilience to disruptions, lower transportation-related carbon emissions, and support for local economies. However, such models may also introduce trade-offs, including reduced production efficiency, supply and sales limitations, and implications for social, cultural, and governance structures. Our analysis reveals that the sustainability outcomes of regionalization are complex and context-dependent. It is influenced by the specific characteristics of existing supply chains and the regional contexts in which they operate. While regionalization may offer advantages in certain contexts, it does not guarantee improved sustainability. Thus, it is crucial to critically assess the assumption that regionalization inherently leads to improved sustainability outcomes. Proactive evaluation of these dynamics is essential to develop strategies that maximize benefits while addressing potential trade-offs.
ER  -