Aquaculture

Aquaculture Feed Sustainability and Welfare

The sustainability of aquaculture feed ingredients is inseparable from welfare considerations for both farmed fish and the wild species used in feed.

Key Facts

Aquaculture is a major consumer of fishmeal and fish oil from reduction fisheries
Single-cell proteins, insect meal, and algae-derived oils are increasingly viable feed alternatives
Nutritional welfare of farmed fish depends on feed ingredient quality and balance
Plant-based diets for carnivorous fish can compromise welfare if not carefully formulated

Welfare Considerations

Feed sustainability and welfare are connected across the aquaculture supply chain. Reducing reliance on wild fish ingredients improves both environmental sustainability and the welfare of billions of small pelagic fish, while also requiring careful formulation to maintain the nutritional welfare of farmed fish.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture producers committed to sustainable, welfare-conscious feed formulation
Engage with research on alternative protein sources for fish feed
Advocate for transparency in aquaculture feed sourcing and sustainability claims