The feed used in aquaculture has both environmental and welfare implications. Reducing reliance on wild-caught fish in feed while maintaining fish health and welfare is a key industry challenge.
Aquaculture feed connects wildlife welfare, farmed fish welfare, and environmental sustainability. Reducing wild fish in feed protects wild forage fish populations that are ecologically important. However, alternative ingredients must be nutritionally appropriate for the farmed species or welfare suffers: plant proteins in carnivore diets cause gut inflammation, immune problems, and performance deficits. The feed-welfare connection means that sustainable feed transition must be welfare-compatible. Research into optimal feed formulations that meet nutritional needs without unsustainable wild fish inputs and without compromising farmed fish welfare is a priority for both sustainability and welfare improvement.