At the 33rd session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI 33), IFFO the Marine Ingredients Organization hosted a side event titled ‘a sustainable future for aquaculture' to provide a comprehensive overview of issues related to aquatic feeds and sustainable aquaculture.

The event provided an opportunity for fishery and feed bodies to communicate the pivotal role that aquaculture plays in global food security, as well as the opportunities and challenges faced across the industry.  

Along with IFFO, partners for the event were: FAO, European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), The Global Standard for Responsible Supply (IFFO RS), National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and Skretting.  

IFFO’s Technical Director, Dr. Neil Auchterlonie, represented the marine ingredients industry and discussed the key role of fishmeal and fish oil as feed ingredients, including the importance of the materials in developing modern fed aquaculture.  

"Marine ingredients, most notably fishmeal and fish oil, are the foundation of feed for the aquaculture industry and remain a strategic ingredient given the highly nutritious qualities," stated Dr. Auchterlonie. "At IFFO, we are working hard to encourage responsible sourcing and finding the most effective way to use these valuable ingredients.”

“This event presented a unique opportunity to engage stakeholders, and especially government officials and policy-makers, from across the food and agricultural industry, raising the profile and importance of the aquaculture industry," he concluded.  

Other speakers included Melanie Siggs, Global Aquaculture Alliance; John Connelly, National Fisheries Institute; Trygve Berg Lea, Skretting; Dr. Niels Alsted, FEFAC; Dr. Rodrigo Roubach, FAO.