Fish and Seafood Paper prepared for the Omega-3 Centre workshop: Realising the public health benefits of long chain omega-3s (Eds: A Sinclair, A Mortensen & M Cashion) Giovanni M. Turchini School of Life & Environmental Sciences Deakin University PO Box 423 Warrnambool Victoria 3280, Australia tel +61-(0) fax +61-(0)

Fish, Seafood & LC omega-3 The main and readily available edible source of LC omega-3 (EPA and DHA) is fish and seafood Concerns over sustainability of the global fisheries sector Recommendations to support the health of marine ecosystems (sustainable use of fish stocks) Recommendations to support the health of humans (LC Omega-3 consumption) Clashing policies: ??

Fisheries The state of the world fisheries resources is a bone of contention in many quarters Alarming studies (often published on major scientific outlets by “aggressive” scientists; ie: Worm et al. 2006… then “crucified”) More moderate studies (normally published on more technical journals by “real experts”; ie Pauly, Hilborn and others… and Worm in 2009) Independent of the differing opinions on the seriousness of the current situation: unanimous consensus on the over-exploited status of global wild fish stocks: but not collapse! –any expansion deemed not just unsustainable, but simply unfeasible.

in 2007, stocks situation (FAO data): Overexploited 19% Depleted 8% Recovering from depletion 1% = 28% yielding less than their maximum potential (owing to excess fishing pressure). 52% fully exploited (producing catches at or close to their maximum sustainable limits with no room for further expansion). 20% moderately exploited or underexploited (possibility of producing more). The maximum wild capture fisheries potential from the world’s oceans has been reached More closely controlled approach to fisheries management is required But there is no indication that we will face a collapse of global wild fisheries Fisheries

Fisheries

Fisheries Worst case scenario (very unlikely) Plateau ~ Mt (most likely) Best case scenario (impossible)

Fisheries Shared stocks: (ie tuna, Atlantic cod…) –International management units –Obvious difficulties in management Individual country stocks: (ie Peruvian anchovy…) –Managed by individual country –Better managed, recognised as sustainable Overall: landing is stagnating, but demand for fish and seafood is on the rise –Aquaculture expected to fill the gap!

Aquaculture Envisaged to be the solution to the global fish shortages The fastest growing primary industry sector in the last 3 decades

Aquaculture Envisaged to be the solution to the global fish shortages The fastest growing primary industry sector in the last 3 decades Plateau ~ Mt Expected to keep growing

Aquaculture However, Some aquaculture sectors rely on wild caught marine derived raw materials (fish meal and fish oil) –Salmonids –Marine carnivorous –Crustaceans Concerns about the actual impact of aquaculture on global fish supply Heavy criticism: (ie Naylor et al 2000… then “crucified” as well, and in 2009 more moderate position)

Aquaculture Still, aquaculture is highly criticised and pointed to as responsible for fishery collapse. But, other sectors are using wild caught fish and gone unnoticed: –Food production: Livestock, pig and poultry (as fishmeal in feed) Some fisheries sectors (as bait, ie crayfish…) –Non food production: Recreational fishery Fur animal industry Pet food industry (estimated to consume same amount of fish as the global salmon industry, and more than entire consumption of fish in Africa) Nevertheless, while aquaculture is unquestionably the major consumer of fish meal and fish oil, it hasn't impacted on fishery landings for fishmeal and fish oil production

Aquaculture

Aquaculture ~1 Mt ~6-7 Mt ~ +8% pa

Aquaculture ~1 Mt ~6-7 Mt ~ +8% pa The increased demand has not impacted on harvesting! Simply impacted on commodities price! Fishery always tried to maximised harvesting independently from demand. Now maximum has been reached. No matter what the demand is.

LC omega-3 LC omega 3 derived by wild caught fish and seafood: –Global availability proportional to catch –Thus, expansion is not possible –Likely will remain constant at present level LC omega 3 derived by aquaculture products: –Extensive and semi-intensive aquaculture systems (ie carps, molluscs): ~80% of current global volume Expansion is possible (and it is happening) Generally these species are lean and with little LC omega-3 (~ mg/100g) –Intensive aquaculture (ie salmonids, marine finfish, crustaceans) Important issue about their LC omega-3 content Criticisms about impact on LC omega3 supply (use of fish oil)

Aquaculture: > 3% of total feed produced globally > Consumes ~90% of the global FO supply Fish oil and Aquaculture

Aquaculture: > 3% of total feed produced globally > Consumes ~90% of the global FO supply ~65% of global FO production is used by the salmonids industry (2.3% of total aquaculture or 1.3% of global fish and seafood production) Fish oil and Aquaculture

The LC omega-3 content of fish fillet is determined by: The fatness of fish fillet: –Determined by the fat content % of feed The LC omega-3 in feed –Determined by the % of fish oil used in feed For graphical purpose only (data are educated estimate) Fish oil and Aquaculture

Global LC Omega-3 supply Estimated global EPA+DHA availability (ton) derived by fish and seafood in 2007 ×3 Non food Food

Total LC Omega-3 (EPA+DHA): ~427,000 t –In non-food: ~264,000 t (62%) –In food: ~163,000 t (38%) Per capita: 67 mg/day!!! If all fish and seafood used for food: 175 mg/day but it is impossible as EPA+DHA in cultured fish is derived by fish oil To achieve 500mg/day 75 million tons of herring and sardines (current prod. 1.7 million tons) 760 million tons of generic finfish (~10 fold higher then global fish and seafood landing) Global fishery will “never” fulfil requirements! Global LC Omega-3 supply

Highly fluctuating, but overall constant

Global LC Omega-3 supply Constant ~65 to 70mg/day Highly fluctuating, but overall constant

Global LC Omega-3 supply Constant ~65 to 70mg/day Steadily growing Highly fluctuating, but overall constant

Why is global LC omega-3 supply available in food growing?

Aquaculture and LC Omega-3 supply

Constant~1Mt ~ +8% pa

Aquaculture and LC Omega-3 supply

Used by aquaculture, transformed into edible products and delivered to humans Used by livestock, burnt for energy and wasted!

Aquaculture, by using all the available fish oil is responsible for increased LC omega-3 supply for direct human consumption! (yes, taking directly fish oil tablets is more efficient: should all fish oil be used directly for human consumption?) Aquaculture and LC Omega-3 supply

The demand for LC omega-3 from marine derived product is not affecting the landing and the pressure on wild stocks LC omega-3 supply derived by fisheries is “somewhat sustainable”: but it cannot expand LC omega-3 supply derived by Aquaculture is sustainable: it can expand (and it is expanding) Aquaculture is having positive effect on both: –Global fish and seafood supply –Global LC omega-3 supply and availability Aquaculture should be supported and further expanded: –low-trophic aquatic animals –Improve efficiency of fish meal and fish oil replacement Fish nutrition Alternative LC omega-3 rich oils Conclusions

Round table of all major industry stakeholders, not only fishery and aquaculture (all users of fish and seafood!) Release explicit data!! Optimise the use of wild caught fish as raw materials Clashing policies: –Recommendation of food/nutrient intake to support health should not consider the sustainability issues of the food industry! Conclusions ??

Thanks Giovanni M. Turchini School of Life & Environmental Sciences Deakin University PO Box 423 Warrnambool Victoria 3280, Australia tel +61-(0) fax +61-(0)