210 Fish as feed inputs for aquaculture – Practices, sustainability and implications
SUMMARY
The intensive production of mainly carnivorous species in Europe uses fish feeds with
a high content of fishmeal and fish oil, currently consuming around 615 000 tonnes
of fishmeal and 317 000 tonnes of fish oils per year, thus requiring around 1.9 million
tonnes of feedfish. While the capture and processing of feedfish provides only a small
contribution to European fisheries-related employment (0.5 percent) and value added
(2.8 percent), they help support an important aquaculture industry that has been
dependent upon regional fishmeal and fish oil production to sustain its growth. With
a conservatively estimated rise of European aquaculture production of 2 percent per
year, fishmeal and fish oil use are likely to rise to 629 000 tonnes and 343 000 tonnes,
respectively, by 2015, despite the greater use of vegetable-based substitutes and the
greater efficiencies in feeding and nutrition.
The main sources of these feedfish are the small pelagic stocks of northern Europe,
the Peruvian anchovy and jack mackerel of South America, and the fishmeal produced
from trimmings and the bycatch of food fisheries. Due to the small size and low age
of these feedfish, the stocks are difficult to manage on a multi-annual basis like many
stocks in Europe. While their high fecundity allows stocks to recover from depletion
fairly rapidly, there is concern over the impact of fishing pressure on predator-prey
relationships in already stressed ecosystems.
Although quality and price are the main determinants for fishmeal purchasers in the
aquafeeds industry, the sustainability of feed-fish sources is beginning to become more
important. As yet there is no fully independent comprehensive analytical framework
that integrates target stock assessment with the wider ecosystem linkages. To a degree
this exists with the development of ecosystem models and approaches such as the
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) criteria for “responsible fishing”. Once such a
framework has been created and is accepted as a suitable benchmark by the aquafeed
industry and its detractors, then it will be easier for purchasers to purchase only from
sustainable feed-fish stocks. This process will inevitably have consequences, such as
greater pressure on those stocks deemed as sustainable, as well as possible effects on
market economics.
The various feed fisheries targeted for fishmeal in Europe have little alternative uses.
However some fisheries such as blue whiting, capelin, anchovy, herring and sprat, can
be used for direct human consumption. The portion that goes for human consumption
is not determined by technical limitations but depends largely on economic and
cultural factors, which are more difficult for the industry to address directly. Despite
the relatively low cost of products originating from small pelagic fisheries, they are
not considered to contribute significantly to ensuring the food security of any part of
Europe, due to the ready availability of other nutritional options.
This report concludes with a number of issues that are considered to be of particular
regional significance. These, together with the recommendations, are summarized
briefly below:- Improved management of European feed fisheries is needed through a combination
of greater political will and the gradual adoption of the ecosystem approach as
implementation mechanisms evolve. - Technical and other assistance to feed fisheries outside European waters, in
particular to South American and Antarctic resources, should be provided
through greater cooperation and the strengthening of relevant regional fisheries
management organizations. - Barriers to the sourcing and use of sustainable fishmeal and fish oils should be
addressed by (i) adopting well-structured feed-fish fisheries sustainability criteria
to guide buyers; (ii) improving traceability of materials, especially if blended
during manufacture or distribution; (iii) encouraging sustainable purchasing