Ecological vs. Traditional Aquaculture: Carbon Footprint and Economic Performance of Integrated Fish– Euryale ferox Systems

Jiayin Ling, Guozheng Li, Guodong Yuan (), Liang Xiao, Liwen Shao, Yaoyang Chen and Jianqiao Qin ()
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Jiayin Ling: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Studies and Low-Carbon Agriculture in Peri-Urban Areas, Guangdong Technology and Equipment Research Center for Soil and Water Pollution Control, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Guozheng Li: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Studies and Low-Carbon Agriculture in Peri-Urban Areas, Guangdong Technology and Equipment Research Center for Soil and Water Pollution Control, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Guodong Yuan: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Studies and Low-Carbon Agriculture in Peri-Urban Areas, Guangdong Technology and Equipment Research Center for Soil and Water Pollution Control, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Liang Xiao: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Studies and Low-Carbon Agriculture in Peri-Urban Areas, Guangdong Technology and Equipment Research Center for Soil and Water Pollution Control, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Liwen Shao: Guangzhou Sub-Branch of Guangdong Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yaoyang Chen: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Studies and Low-Carbon Agriculture in Peri-Urban Areas, Guangdong Technology and Equipment Research Center for Soil and Water Pollution Control, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China
Jianqiao Qin: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Studies and Low-Carbon Agriculture in Peri-Urban Areas, Guangdong Technology and Equipment Research Center for Soil and Water Pollution Control, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: This study examined the carbon footprints of freshwater fish farming and Euryale ferox seed (gorgon fruit) production, comparing integrated ecological mode and traditional farming practices based on ISO 14067 and PAS 2050 standards. The ecological mode achieved a 24% lower carbon footprint per unit product than traditional practices, driven by reduced material and energy use. Key emission sources included aeration electricity, feed, and wastewater treatment for fish farming, fertilizers, insecticides, and drainage energy for E. ferox planting. The integrated model combining high-density fish ponds and E. ferox pond reduced the overall carbon footprint ( Micropterus salmoides : 4.342 kg CO 2 -eq/kg; E. ferox seed: 0.208 kg CO 2 -eq/kg) compared to traditional practices ( Micropterus salmoides : 5.672 kg CO 2 -eq/kg; E. ferox seed: 0.297 kg CO 2 -eq/kg). It also lowered production costs, increased profits, and mitigated GHG emissions by using E. ferox and lotus ponds as treatment facilities and reducing fertilizer use. The ecological model showed lower unit costs and higher profits ( Micropterus salmoides : 4.01 RMB/kg vs. 2.46 RMB/kg; E. ferox seed: 2.53 RMB/kg vs. 1.93 RMB/kg) than those of the traditional mode. This study underscores the potential of ecologically integrated modes to mitigate water pollution and carbon emissions in agriculture, offering a sustainable solution to meet the rising demand for aquatic products.

Keywords: sustainable aquaculture; gorgon fruit; ecologically integrated farming; greenhouse gas emissions; Micropterus salmoides; life cycle assessment (LCA) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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