Fishmeal and fish oil in aquaculture feeds: global food security questions

Abstract

ABSTRACT The use of whole fish derived from low trophic-level fisheries (also known as small pelagic species, or reduction fisheries) is often criticised as being inefficient. This paper offers a general view of the production of fishmeal and fish oil by species, country and region. The available edible yield of food produced using this resource under business as usual practices (i.e via fishmeal and fish oil production, aquafeed and aquaculture and a proportion consumed directly as food) against a hypothetical 100% consumption as food (with available by-product going to fishmeal and fish oil manufacture) is calculated using 2019 data. The results indicate that a 588,061 tonnes greater volume of available processed edible aquatic protein (wet weight) is estimated to be produced under business-as-usual practices, amounting to an additional 3.58 billion meals provided per annum. This is based on current conversion factors resulting from the use of fishmeal and fish oil as ingredients in combination with others in the manufacture of aquafeed. The paper discusses the use of this resource as raw material in the production of fishmeal and fish oil.