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Avoiding the ecological limits of forage fish for fed aquaculture

Author

Listed:
  • Halley E. Froehlich

    (University of California, Santa Barbara)

  • Nis Sand Jacobsen

    (University of Washington)

  • Timothy E. Essington

    (University of Washington)

  • Tyler Clavelle

    (University of California, Santa Barbara)

  • Benjamin S. Halpern

    (University of California, Santa Barbara
    University of California, Santa Barbara
    Imperial College London)

Abstract

Aquaculture is supporting demand and surpassing wild-caught seafood. Yet, most fed aquaculture species (finfish and crustacea) rely on wild-captured forage fish for essential fatty acids and micronutrients, an important but limited resource. As the fastest growing food sector in the world, fed aquaculture demand will eventually surpass ecological supply of forage fish, but when and how best to avoid this ecological boundary is unclear. Using global production data, feed use trends, and human consumption patterns, we show how combined actions of fisheries reform, reduced feed use by non-carnivorous aquaculture and agricultural species, and greater consistent inclusion of fish by-products in China-based production can circumvent forage fish limits by mid-century. However, we also demonstrate that the efficacies of such actions are diminished if global diets shift to more seafood-heavy (that is, pescatarian) diets and are further constrained by possible ecosystem-based fisheries regulations in the future. Long-term, nutrient-equivalent alternative feed sources are essential for more rapid and certain aquaculture sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Halley E. Froehlich & Nis Sand Jacobsen & Timothy E. Essington & Tyler Clavelle & Benjamin S. Halpern, 2018. "Avoiding the ecological limits of forage fish for fed aquaculture," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(6), pages 298-303, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:1:y:2018:i:6:d:10.1038_s41893-018-0077-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-018-0077-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Heimann, Tobias & Delzeit, Ruth, 2024. "Land for fish: Quantifying the connection between the aquaculture sector and agricultural markets," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 281986, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    2. Heimann, Tobias & Delzeit, Ruth, 2021. "Land for Fish: A scenario based CGE analysis of the effects of aquaculture production on agricultural markets," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315270, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Omeje, Julius Emeka & Achike, Anthonia Ifeyinwa & Nwabeze, Godfrey O & Ibiyo, Lenient Mercy O & Jimmy, Samuel Preye, 2023. "Economic Analysis of Locally Produced Aquaculture Feeds with Complements of Plant-based Ingredients in Kainji Lake Basin, Nigeria," Research on World Agricultural Economy, Nan Yang Academy of Sciences Pte Ltd (NASS), vol. 4(1), March.
    4. Wesley Malcorps & Björn Kok & Mike van‘t Land & Maarten Fritz & Davy van Doren & Kurt Servin & Paul van der Heijden & Roy Palmer & Neil A. Auchterlonie & Max Rietkerk & Maria J. Santos & Simon J. Davi, 2019. "The Sustainability Conundrum of Fishmeal Substitution by Plant Ingredients in Shrimp Feeds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, February.
    5. Heimann, Tobias & Delzeit, Ruth, 2020. "Land for Fish: Does plant-based fodder demand of aquaculture production affect agricultural markets?," Conference papers 330207, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.

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