Is aquaculture sustainable?
Aquaculture plays an important role in meeting the growing demand for seafood. When well-managed, it can produce nutritious food efficiently and contribute to a diverse global food supply.
Its environmental and social performance varies by species, location, farming system, feed, energy use, health management and local regulation. Responsible aquaculture therefore depends on effective farm management, clear standards and continued improvement across the value chain.
Feed is an important part of this picture. Skretting works on the areas we can influence directly, including ingredient and supplier requirements, feed formulation, quality and safety, manufacturing and technical support. We also collaborate with producers, researchers and other partners to address shared challenges.
Frequent questions on sustainability
Why is aquaculture important?
According to WWF, 85% of the world’s marine stocks are either fully exploited or overfished. Our planet’s population is forecast to reach 10 billion people by 2050, and with this growth will come a much greater demand for food, including seafood.
Are circular economy principles applied to aquaculture feeds?
Yes. Aquaculture feeds can use suitable by-products and side streams from seafood, agriculture and other food-production systems.
Is aquaculture sustainable?
Yes, when done properly. As a global society, we are around 7.5 billion people heading towards 10 billion by 2050. Not only does this present the problem of an additional 2 billion mouths to feed, human diets are also increasingly shifting in line with growing prosperity.
Are our feeds sustainable?
Skretting works to improve the environmental and social performance of its feeds through responsible sourcing requirements, supplier assessment, feed formulation, quality and safety controls, traceability, due diligence, the use of by-products, and continued research and innovation.
How is aquaculture regulated?
Aquaculture is regulated through requirements that can cover farm approval, animal health and welfare, environmental impacts, feed, food safety, traceability and the use of veterinary medicines. The applicable rules and level of oversight vary by country, species and production system.