About half the fish we eat are now raised in aquafarm pens. However, many farmed fish are carnivorous and consume large amounts of fishmeal or fish-oil pellets, both made from massive amounts of fish caught at sea and pulverized into powder. It is estimated that 5 pounds of wild fish are needed to produce a single pound of farmed fish. Currently, more than 30% of all marine life pulled from the sea goes to feed other, on-land fish. And as this industry grows, so does the need for anchovies, sardines, herring and other whitebait fish. This usage increasingly puts pressure on the food supply of birds, mammals and wild fish that prey upon these stocks.

Supporters claim aquafarms help satisfy consumer demand for some seafood species – thereby protecting their wild counterparts. They also say aquaculture is needed help feed the world’s growing population. Critics say oceans are running out of fish. They claim our aquaculture industry’s methods are not sustainable for themselves, wild fish food stocks, or wild species that prey upon these stocks. Some feed production companies are now using more plant-based raw materials in their products, cutting the amount of fish meal and fish oil in half.

Proposed Legislation: To increase the research and development of alternative aquaculture feeds
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR)