Lake Aquaculture for Catastrophic Food Security

Abstract

The intensifying frequency of climate disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and pandemics exposes critical vulnerabilities in globalized, input-intensive food systems. Traditional protein sources—terrestrial livestock, crops, and marine fisheries—are highly susceptible to collapse under such catastrophic scenarios due to their dependencies on complex supply chains, external inputs, and stable climatic conditions. This article posits that lake-based aquaculture represents a strategically undervalued yet indispensable component of a resilient food security framework. We argue that the inherent characteristics of lacustrine systems—including superior feed conversion ratios, the utilization of natural trophic pathways, and a static "live storage" production model—confer a unique capacity to function autonomously during prolonged infrastructural and logistical breakdowns. The analysis delineates criteria for selecting resilient fish species, advocates for extensive polyculture management models, and outlines strategies for mitigating risks related to disease, genetic resource security, and ecological degradation. Furthermore, a strategic roadmap is proposed for integrating this approach into national policy, emphasizing legislative action, targeted research, economic incentives, and specialized education. The conclusion asserts that proactive investment in developing lake aquaculture as a decentralized protein reserve is a critical imperative for enhancing national food sovereignty and long-term survivability in an era of escalating systemic risks.