Lakes as Strategic Food Reserves

The increasing frequency of climate disasters, geopolitical conflicts, and pandemics exposes critical vulnerabilities in globalized, input-intensive food systems. Traditional protein sources—terrestrial livestock and marine fisheries—are highly susceptible to collapse under 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, 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, and outlines strategies for mitigating risks related to disease, genetic resource security, and ecological degradation. A strategic roadmap for integration into national policy is proposed. We conclude 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.