Aquaculture

Aquaculture Antibiotic Stewardship Progress

Aquaculture antibiotic use has declined significantly in countries with strong veterinary oversight and welfare-focused management, demonstrating what is achievable.

Key Facts

Norway reduced salmon aquaculture antibiotic use by 99% between 1987 and 2012
Vaccination programmes for furunculosis and other diseases eliminated major antibiotic use
UK salmon antibiotic use fell 65% between 2015 and 2022
Remaining antibiotic use in high-standard fisheries is targeted and veterinary-prescribed
Countries without strong regulation continue high prophylactic antibiotic use in shrimp farming

Welfare Considerations

Aquaculture antibiotic reduction demonstrates that welfare-focused disease prevention through vaccination and management outperforms prophylactic antibiotic use. This model needs global adoption.

What You Can Do

Choose certified aquaculture products from producers with low antibiotic use
Support international regulatory standards requiring veterinary prescription for aquaculture antibiotics
Ask retailers about their aquaculture suppliers' antibiotic use data