Aquaculture and wild-capture fisheries each contribute roughly equal amounts of food to global consumers, according to the latest data from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Aquaculture, however, will soon eclipse fisheries, FAO forecasted, and will account for more than 60 percent of the edible seafood supply in less than two decades.

Because of aquafeed requirements, aquaculture remains inextricably linked to feed ingredients sourced from marine fisheries. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, according to Anton Immink, aquaculture director for Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

“Fishmeal and fish oil are excellent feed ingredients that outperform their rivals” in terms of nutrition, Immink said during the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s pre-GOAL workshop on Monday, on the eve of the annual conference, held this year at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China. “Aquaculture needs fishmeal and fish oil. Therefore, we have a core responsibility in engaging in [fishery] improvement efforts.”

Such improvement efforts – generally known as fishery improvement projects, or FIPs – dominated the discussion during the special session titled, “Ensuring That Fishmeal and Fish Oil Derived from Reduction Fisheries or Fishery Byproducts Originate from Responsible Sources.” GAA Director of Strategic Engagements Melanie Siggs served as the moderator, and in her introduction she defined the conversation “as critical as it’s ever been” and “relevant in all geographies.”

Source: Global Aquaculture Advocate // Original Article