Abstract
Salmon aquaculture has grown rapidly and is expected to continue to grow to meet consumer demand. Due to concerns about the environmental impacts associated with salmon aquaculture, eco-labeling groups have developed standards intended to hold salmon producers accountable and provide a more sustainable option to consumers. This study utilized life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impacts of salmon raised to Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification standards in order to determine if ASC certification achieves the intended reductions in impact. We find that environmental impacts, such as global warming potential, do not decrease with certification. We also find that salmon feed, in contrast to the on-site aquaculture practices, dominates the environmental impacts of salmon aquaculture and contributes to over 80% of impacts in ozone depletion, global warming potential, acidification, and ecotoxicity. Based on these findings, we recommend that eco-labeling groups prioritize reducing the environmental impacts of the feed supply chain.
Highlights
Aquaculture, as a global industry, has grown rapidly over the past several decades as demand for seafood has increased [1] and wild stocks have decreased [2]
Salmon feed had the largest effect on the overall environmental impact of salmon in all measured categories except eutrophication
These impacts are due to the large quantity of feed that is used in comparison to fuel or other materials
Summary
Aquaculture, as a global industry, has grown rapidly over the past several decades as demand for seafood has increased [1] and wild stocks have decreased [2]. Between 2010 and 2017, world-wide fish aquaculture production increased by 41%, or 15 million tons of fish [3]. Salmonids, such as salmon and trout, have been the highest-valued seafood product in global trade since 2013 [3]. As salmon aquaculture has increased, so has concern about its environmental impacts. The primary concerns relate to excess feed and salmon waste discharge [5,6]. Critics of salmon farming raise concerns about ecological impacts such as pathogenic interaction between wild and farmed fish and fish escapes
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