Improving Productivity and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture

This report by the World Resources Institute examines the role of aquaculture in meeting global fish demand by 2050. It argues that aquaculture production must more than double to meet projected needs, while simultaneously improving productivity and environmental performance to ensure sustainability.

• To meet projected global demand for fish, aquaculture production must increase from 67 million tons (Mt) in 2012 to approximately 140 Mt by 2050. This growth could provide 14 percent of the additional animal protein required by 2050 and generate significant income and employment, particularly in developing countries.
• The environmental impact of aquaculture varies by species and production intensity. Bivalve mollusks perform well across all environmental categories, while catfish and shrimp have high greenhouse gas intensity. Salmon and shrimp require the most wild fish-based feed. In terms of intensity, intensification reduces land and freshwater use per unit of fish but increases energy use, fish-based feed ingredients, water pollution, and disease risks.
• Maintaining environmental impacts at 2010 levels by 2050 will be difficult due to rapid growth. Modeling shows that under most scenarios, impacts roughly double. The lowest impacts are achieved through a combined approach (Scenario 7), which integrates improved input efficiency, renewable energy use, adoption of best practices, and the replacement of fishmeal and fish oil with crop-based ingredients.
• The report recommends five strategies for transformational change: investing in technological innovation (breeding, disease control, nutrition, and low-impact systems); using spatial planning and zoning; shifting incentives to reward sustainability; leveraging information technology for global monitoring; and shifting consumption toward low-trophic species like tilapia, catfish, carp, and bivalve mollusks.
• Aquaculture is a critical component of global food security, as the supply of wild-caught fish has peaked and is unlikely to increase without the rehabilitation of overexploited stocks. Fish provided 17 percent of the global animal-based protein supply in 2010 and are especially vital in developing countries, where over 75 percent of global fish consumption occurs.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Improving Productivity and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture. https://www.wri.org/research/improving-productivity-and-environmental-performance-aquaculture

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Improving Productivity and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/improving-productivity-and-environmental-performance-aquaculture.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Improving Productivity and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture |url=https://www.wri.org/research/improving-productivity-and-environmental-performance-aquaculture |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendimproving, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Improving Productivity and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/improving-productivity-and-environmental-performance-aquaculture}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }