Half of assessed forage fisheries 'poorly managed' last year

A newly published report by US-based marine conservation organisation Sustainable Fisheries Partnership shows a noticeable decline last year in sustainability performance of key fisheries used primarily to produce marine ingredients.

While two fisheries improved their performance, six fisheries got worse, and a new assessment of four fisheries in India revealed major challenges, including a lack of data that prevented the fisheries from being fully assessed.

For the first time since 2015, half the fisheries in the report (11 of 22, representing 41% of volume) dropped into the “poorly managed” category, based on updated sustainability scores in FishSource, SFP’s public database of fisheries information.  The report is primarily focused on European and American fisheries, plus the four Indian fisheries.

'The picture got worse'

“We’ve seen a steady decline in global performance of key fisheries since 2018, and unfortunately this year the picture got worse,” said SFP global supply chains director Dave Martin.

“Where in the past it was largely persistent management issues that kept fisheries out of the top categories, for 2024 we see drops in the current and/or future stock health for several fisheries.

“It’s important to note these fisheries experience natural fluctuations, and timely management responses will improve stock health. But the results highlight the critical need for seafood supply chains to strengthen engagement in fisheries management to ensure healthy fisheries and ecosystems and meet growing customer and consumer demands for responsible seafood.”

The 2024 report marks the 15th edition of the annual SFP assessments, which evaluate sustainability of key fisheries based on FishSource scores.

Common challenges

A review of assessments over the past 15 years, combined with expanded coverage of FishSource Environment and Biodiversity scoring (which goes beyond traditional fisheries management to focus on bycatch and ecosystem impacts), shows that small pelagic fisheries around the globe face a number of common challenges, including limited data collection, minimal research on non-target species and ecosystems, and lack of effective joint management of stocks shared by multiple countries.

SFP, which has the support of major retailers such as Aldi, Asda, the Coop, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco, said this situation underscores the urgent need for continued and stronger industry engagement with regulators and key stakeholders.

Wake-up call for industry

“The latest Reduction Fisheries Report is a wake-up call for the industry on the need for following the management of the most relevant fisheries used for feed production,” said Jorge Diaz Salinas, sustainability and communications director for aquafeed producer Skretting.

“The information disclosed here will allow us to engage more closely with our supply chain to identify and implement actions aimed at ensuring that our operations contribute to healthy fisheries and ecosystems.”

Aisla Jones, feed engagement and UK markets manager for fish farming certification body Aquaculture Stewardship Council, said the health of wild fish stocks is critical for marine ecosystems and the long-term viability of aquaculture, which relies on responsibly sourced marine ingredients for feed.

“The ASC Feed Standard requires feed producers to source marine ingredients from increasingly responsibly managed fisheries over time and demonstrate a clear path toward improvement. The reported decline in sustainability performance illustrates that market incentives towards more sustainable sources are more and more relevant.”