Aquaculture has grown to provide millions with a cheap and accessible source of protein, and aquafeed has been instrumental in this growth. Yet, it comes with its own set of environmental issues that are rarely talked about.
Since the 1980s, the amount of seafood produced from capture fisheries has remained relatively stagnant (averaging 86-94 million tonnes/year). To provide protein for the world’s growing population, we have begun relying on aquaculture, where we breed, raise, and harvest fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants. The production of aquaculture products has steadily increased, in no small part thanks to the use of aquafeed.
For the first time in history, aquaculture produced more food than captured fisheries in 2022, representing 51% of total seafood production. This trend will likely continue to increase by 17% within a decade2. Aquaculture has become a cornerstone of food security, and millions more lives will likely depend on it. This will likely increase demand for ever more aquafeed, placing a growing strain on ecosystem services.
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