Today, aquaculture is central to meeting rising demand for high-quality protein, especially as wild fisheries come under pressure from overfishing, climate change and habitat degradation.
Farmed seafood is increasingly expected to fill the gap but brings along its own challenges.
In a study published in April, researchers at the University of British Columbia analysed global aquaculture production data from 1950 to 2023.
It found that as aquaculture production grew rapidly, the sector increasingly relied on cultivating a select number of species, particularly finfish, which tend to be less sustainable.
In another study published in February, researchers at the University of Stirling examined Europe’s aquaculture sector and how its aquafeed inputs affect the environment.
Between 2000 and 2020, total production of the main farmed species, such as Atlantic salmon and European seabass, grew from 1.15m metric tonnes to 2.17m metric tonnes.
The study highlighted the reality of replacing marine ingredients with plant-based ones, concluding that this shift did not reduce environmental impacts but transferred them from sea to land.
On 8 July, AgNavigator will explore the challenges and tensions in the aquaculture industry during its inaugural webinar dedicated to this vital sector.
Aquaculture advances: Innovation opportunities for human and animal health will explore how innovation can help the sector navigate its next phase of growth.
The event will showcase experts working at the intersection of sustainability, science and commercial scale to protect aquatic environments while producing more responsible blue food.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from leading voices across science, investment and industry. Register now to watch live or access the webinar on demand.
Rethinking responsible growth
At the heart of the webinar is the main panel discussion: The future of responsible aquaculture: What must change in the next 10 years.
The panel brings together expertise spanning research, entrepreneurship, finance and industry leadership.
Our esteemed panellists are:
- Dr Suzy Black, science team leader, physiology and behaviour seafood production, Bioeconomy Institute
- Ankit Alok Bagaria, co‑founder and CEO of Loopworm
- Kelvin Ng, managing partner at Greenbridge Partners
- Felicity White, head of growth and strategy, Blue Carbon
- Dr Brett Glencross, technical director, IFFO
Panellists will examine what needs to change in production systems, feed development, investment strategies and governance frameworks if aquaculture is to align with sustainability goals while remaining economically viable.
Designed for industry leaders, researchers, investors and policymakers, Aquaculture advances: Innovation opportunities for human and animal health offers a timely forum to examine how the sector can rise to the occasion and shape a more sustainable future in the coming decade.
Register now to join the conversation shaping the future of aquaculture. Can’t attend live? Sign up anyway to get on-demand access.
