Aquaculture’s use of wild fish higher than previously thought study

A study in Science Advances reveals that global aquaculture, including salmon farming, uses significantly more wild-caught fish than previously estimated, with wild fish inputs exceeding prior estimates by 27% to 307%. The revised "fish-in:fish-out" (FI:FO) ratio ranges from 0.36 to 1.15, compared to the earlier 0.28. For carnivorous species like salmon and eel, wild fish biomass often doubles the farmed output. Researchers highlight overlooked sources such as fish trimmings and bycatch mortality. The findings challenge sustainability claims, urging greater transparency in feed reporting and reconsideration of policies promoting aquaculture expansion as an environmentally friendly solution. (Salmon Business)