In order to do this, over the next 25 years, aquaculture will have to increase production levels by a factor of three or four. Aquaculture techniques must therefore become more efficient, more intensive. Many researchers believe that developments in bio-technology will make this possible. Research is focusing on reproductive processes because many marine species do not reproduce well in captivity. Another goal is to develop year-round production.
Growth is another major area of interest.
There is some overlap between growth and reproductive issues, because the ultimate goal is to decrease the time organisms need to attain market size. But, there is also a problem, because once the fish are large enough to begin sexually mature, there is less somatic growth and more gonadotrophic growth, and the flesh quality changes. These factors need to be optimally balanced. Another aspect of the growth questions concerns nutrition. Currently, a third or more of the global, commercial harvest is used to produce fishmeal.