Mapping the spatial distribution of global mariculture production

Mariculture (marine and brackish water aquaculture) has grown rapidly over the past 20 years, yet publicly-available information on location of mariculture production is sparse. Identifying where occurs remains a major challenge for understanding its environmental impacts sustainability individual farms sector as whole. We compiled known locations applied simple production-allocation approach to map remaining global across 73 countries using key determinants distance shore ports, average productivity (tonnage) farms. Our represents 96% reported fish invertebrate 2017, but excludes algae which constitutes half production. provide, first time, publicly available spatial database estimated locations. discuss utility limitations existing data our modeling approach, highlight gaps future challenges mapping aquaculture. results provide vital resource researchers, we emphasize need standardized, ground-truthed aquaculture farm-level attributes (e.g., species, type) better understand distribution adequately plan growth.