Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have created a database detailing the global distribution of fish oil and fish meal factories, highlighting a critical area of the aquaculture supply chain, identifying where these ingredients are being produced, and which companies control the industry’s footprint, Oceanographic reported.
Almost 40% of fish oil and meal is made from whole wild-caught, pelagic fish such as anchovies and sardines, many of which are critical to marine food webs and human nutrition in low-income coastal communities, according to the new study into the sector.
“Understanding where fish meal and fish oil production occurs is essential for addressing its environmental, social and economic impacts,” the study’s lead author Lauren Shea, who conducted the research while studying for a Masters’ degree at UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, was quoted as saying in the 30 April report.
“Knowing that, along with what species are being used and how it affects local environments and economies, can support the development of more transparent and responsible aquaculture practices.”
Published in Science Advances, the study included an open-source global map of fishmeal and fish oil factories – 506 in total, across 63 countries, with the highest numbers in Peru, Mauritania and Chile, Oceanographic wrote.
More than 400 companies operate these factories, with many concentrated in sensitive regions, according to the study.
“Dependence on the global fish meal and fish oil trade could undermine food security while fuelling unsustainable fishing practices,” Dr Rashid Sumaila, professor at UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and senior author on the study, was quoted as saying.
Factory locations and raw material use were verified using satellite imagery, national databases and industry certifications, and government lists and open-sourced certification data were also cross-referenced.
According to the study, Peru has around 125 fish meal and fish oil factories, giving it the highest count in the world, with Mauritania ranking second with 42, many of which have been linked to reduced local fish availability and rising prices.
However, countries with a low number of factories – such as Norway and Denmark – often had disproportionately high production, due to better technologies and economies of scale, the researchers found.
Acknowledging the database was just a starting point, the researchers said regular updates and further research into factory-level environmental and social impacts were needed, noting that countries like China – a major player in fish oil and meal production – had not been fully researched due to language barriers, lack of public reporting and minimal online presence from producers.
“With more transparent data, governments and organisations can better regulate fish meal and fish oil sourcing, track environmental impacts and support alternatives – like plant-based feeds or novel proteins – that reduce pressure on wild fish stocks,” Shea said.
“By-products can be a sustainable solution when managed properly. Improved data could further enable traceability, helping ensure seafood products are sourced responsibly throughout the supply chain.”
