Nearly half of global fish catch could feed farmed fish by 2040

Researchers have projected that by 2040, up to 46% of wild-caught fish stocks could be redirected to feed farmed fish and shrimp operations, a trend that threatens to exacerbate pressure on already depleted ocean ecosystems. The finding underscores a fundamental inefficiency in aquaculture production: the practice of using wild fish as feed to raise farmed species, which some argue is both economically and environmentally unsustainable.

The shift reflects the rapid expansion of global aquaculture, which now supplies more than half the seafood consumed worldwide. As demand for farmed fish and shrimp continues to surge, particularly in Asia, the industry increasingly relies on fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild-caught species. This dependency creates a paradox where fishing pressure intensifies even as wild stocks face mounting depletion.

The report highlights the urgent need for the aquaculture sector to transition toward alternative feed sources, including plant-based ingredients, insect proteins, and algae-derived supplements. Such innovations could reduce the sector's reliance on wild fish stocks while improving the long-term viability of both capture fisheries and farmed aquaculture.

For coastal nations like Sri Lanka, where both fishing communities and emerging aquaculture operations provide livelihoods and food security, the findings carry significant implications. Policymakers and industry stakeholders face mounting pressure to adopt more sustainable practices that balance economic growth with the preservation of marine resources for future generations.