The world's population is projected to swell to 2 billion more mouths to feed by 2050, leaving the question: how can we sustainably and ethically meet this demand? One solution that has gained traction is aquaculture, or fish farming. It's touted as a sustainable way to produce animal protein, requiring less land use than traditional farming methods.
However, as the quickest-growing form of food production worldwide, it raises questions about its long-term viability. To understand the impact of the salmon industry on our planet and future, as well as the welfare of these fish, we spoke with industry insiders, marine biologists, and experts in fish welfare.
The reality is complex, replete with caveats and trade-offs. Yet, becoming more informed about our food choices can empower us to make responsible decisions. A crucial consideration is how to feed the fish used in aquaculture – a process that has significant implications for the industry's sustainability.
For context, we turned to the Global Salmon Initiative, a collaboration of major salmon farming companies, whose CEO shared insights with us. Their handbook provides valuable information on salmon aquaculture and can be found at GSI Handbook.
While the debate surrounding salmon farming is multifaceted, one thing is clear: meeting the world's growing demand for food requires a nuanced approach that balances sustainability, ethics, and human needs.
However, as the quickest-growing form of food production worldwide, it raises questions about its long-term viability. To understand the impact of the salmon industry on our planet and future, as well as the welfare of these fish, we spoke with industry insiders, marine biologists, and experts in fish welfare.
The reality is complex, replete with caveats and trade-offs. Yet, becoming more informed about our food choices can empower us to make responsible decisions. A crucial consideration is how to feed the fish used in aquaculture – a process that has significant implications for the industry's sustainability.
For context, we turned to the Global Salmon Initiative, a collaboration of major salmon farming companies, whose CEO shared insights with us. Their handbook provides valuable information on salmon aquaculture and can be found at GSI Handbook.
While the debate surrounding salmon farming is multifaceted, one thing is clear: meeting the world's growing demand for food requires a nuanced approach that balances sustainability, ethics, and human needs.
. It seems like this industry has its pros - reducing land use and providing a sustainable source of protein, which is awesome for the planet 
. However, if we're talking about feeding those fish back into the system... that's where it gets really tricky 
. We need to make sure we're not creating a whole new set of problems, you know? I'm all about transparency and responsible decision-making when it comes to food production 
. I mean, think about it - if we can't even figure out how to feed the fish used in aquaculture, how can we expect our oceans to thrive 
? It's like, we're trying to solve one problem, only to create another...
no wonder they're talkin about aquaculture but what about the welfare of the fish tho? it's like, we wanna eat our salmon but do we really care about where it comes from? and then there's the whole feeding thing...it sounds like a big ol' circle 
my cousin works at a farm and she says its like prison for them they need space to swim and stuff but the industry just wants to squeeze as many fish as possible out of that tank 
its crazy. we should be thinking about plant-based options or something i dont know man
Not to mention the environmental impact when we eventually release them back into the wild (if they survive the first place). And what about the welfare of these poor fish? It's all well and good that some companies are trying to do things "sustainably", but I'm not convinced. Can't we just cut out the middleman and stick to plant-based options for once? 
. And then there's the issue of feed for the fish themselves... it's crazy how much energy and resources go into producing that stuff 
. I guess what I'm saying is, we need more transparency and research on this whole thing so we can make some informed decisions about our food choices