Hasta que los mares se sequen

The report examines the industrial aquaculture sector's dependence on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), highlighting how the extraction of forage fish disrupts marine food webs and undermines food security in vulnerable coastal regions. It criticizes the lack of transparency in supply chains and the inadequacy of current certification schemes, while calling for a transition toward herbivorous species and alternative proteins to protect ocean health.

• Industrial aquaculture relies heavily on wild-caught fish to produce fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), with nearly 20% of the world's total fish catch being converted into these products. Of this, 69% is used for fishmeal and 75% for fish oil to feed farmed fish.
• The targeting of forage fish—such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, and herring—and crustaceans like krill disrupts marine food webs by removing essential energy sources for higher trophic level predators, including tuna, salmon, sharks, and whales.
• Reduction fisheries negatively impact food security in West Africa and Southeast Asia by diverting high-quality, food-grade fish away from human consumption. Approximately 90% of the wild fish used for FMFO could be consumed directly by humans.
• The FMFO industry causes significant local pollution and health issues. In Peru, the industry is linked to air and water pollution resulting in respiratory and skin diseases, while in Senegal and Gambia, factories have contaminated waterways and damaged local tourism and fishing industries.
• There is a systemic lack of transparency and accountability in the aquafeed supply chain. Many companies source from regions with low governance and high fishing pressure, and certification bodies like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Marine Ingredients Organisation (IFFO) are criticized for conflicting interests or contradictory standards.
• The production of FMFO creates a massive animal welfare crisis, with an estimated 0.5 to 1 trillion forage fish captured annually to be processed into feed, alongside the accidental capture of mammals and birds.
• To achieve sustainability, the report recommends that the industry shift from carnivorous to herbivorous species, adopt integrated multitrophic aquaculture, and explore alternative proteins such as algae and insects.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (n.d.). Hasta que los mares se sequen. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SPANISH-WEB-EX-SUMMARY-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Hasta que los mares se sequen. n.d. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SPANISH-WEB-EX-SUMMARY-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Hasta que los mares se sequen |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SPANISH-WEB-EX-SUMMARY-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundationndhasta, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Hasta que los mares se sequen}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SPANISH-WEB-EX-SUMMARY-UNTILL-THE-SEAS-DRY.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }