Until the Seas Run Dry

The report argues that industrial aquaculture's reliance on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) is unsustainable, plundering marine ecosystems and undermining food security in the Global South. It highlights the exploitation of forage fish and 'trash fish', the lack of transparency among major aquafeed companies, and the failure of certification schemes to prevent the use of food-grade fish for animal feed.

• Industrial aquaculture relies heavily on reduction fisheries, with nearly 20% of all wild-caught fish landings processed into fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO). Of this production, 69% of fishmeal and 75% of fish oil are used to feed farmed fish.
• The industry targets keystone forage fish (such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and herring) and crustaceans (krill), which are critical for transferring energy to higher trophic levels. Overfishing these species risks localised population collapses and disrupts marine food webs, affecting seabirds and marine mammals.
• In Asia, particularly China and Thailand, the industry uses 'trash fish'—often consisting of juveniles and edible commercial species—as direct feed. In China, one-third of the annual domestic fisheries catch is comprised of 'trash fish', with 75% of sampled 'trash fish' being in the juvenile size range.
• The use of FMFO undermines food security in vulnerable coastal regions, especially in West Africa and Southeast Asia, because approximately 90% of the fish used in reduction fisheries are food-grade and suitable for direct human consumption.
• Fishmeal production in West Africa, particularly in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, has led to pollution scandals, the contamination of waterways, and competition with local fishermen for small pelagic fish like round sardinella.
• Peru is the world's leading producer of FMFO, primarily from the Peruvian anchoveta. The industry is linked to the destruction of coastal ecosystems, air and water pollution causing respiratory and skin diseases, and a 95% drop in bird numbers over half a century.
• Major aquafeed companies, including Cargill Aqua Nutrition/EWOS, Skretting, Mowi, and BioMar, often lack transparency regarding their sourcing. Research indicates some source from poorly managed fisheries in West Africa and Latin America despite sustainability claims.
• Current aquaculture certification schemes (such as ASC, GlobalG.A.P., and BAP) are criticised for allowing the use of wild-caught fish in feed. Many rely on IFFO RS, a standard set by the industry's own trade body, creating a conflict of interest.
• The industry creates a massive animal welfare crisis, with an estimated 0.5 to 1 trillion forage fish caught annually for feed. These sentient animals suffer during capture, transport, and slaughter, which often involves asphyxiation.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2019). Until the Seas Run Dry. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/REPORT-WEB-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Until the Seas Run Dry. 2019. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/REPORT-WEB-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Until the Seas Run Dry |date=April 2019 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/REPORT-WEB-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2019until, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Until the Seas Run Dry}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2019}, month = apr, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/REPORT-WEB-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }