Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

Abstract #162925

• Slides (pdf) or Handout
• Multimedia recording

Rebecca J. Goldburg, PhD and Timothy P. Fitzgerald, MS. Oceans Program, Environmental Defense, 257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010, 212-505-2100, bgoldburg@environmentaldefense.org

Aquaculture (fish farming) -- now the source of nearly half of the world's edible fish -- can help narrow the gap between declining global fisheries and increasing consumer demand for seafood. Nevertheless, some types of aquaculture production actually increase demand for wild fish, rather than reduce it. Feed for carnivorous fish—those farmed fish highest in omega-3s—contains large quantities of fishmeal and fish oil. Salmon farming, for example, requires approximately three pounds of wild-caught fish to produce a single pound of salmon. Without new types of feed ingredients, fish farmers' demand for wild fish will grow if aquaculture production continues it's current rapid growth. Farming largely vegetarian fish such as tilapia, catfish, and carp uses little fish in feeds, but these fish also have low levels of the most heart-healthy omega-3s (DHA/EPA). Similarly, heavy substitution of plant-based proteins and oils for fishmeal and fish oil can result in fish with lower levels of DHA/EPA. Alternative algal and other microbial sources of DHA/EPA appropriate for incorporation into fish feed are in development, but not yet available commercially. As a result, conservation of wild fisheries remains essential to future seafood supplies, both from wild fisheries and aquaculture.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of farmed fish as a source of omega 3 fatty acids for humans
• Know current and future sources of omega 3 fatty acids for incorporation in fish feeds
• Recognize role of fisheries conservation in human nutrition

Keywords: Environment, Food and Nutrition

Related Web page: www.oceansalive.org/eat.cfm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout
• Multimedia recording