"In its current state, aquaculture is contributing to an increased pressure on already depleting fish stocks," said Dr. Simon Cripps, Director of WWF’s Endangered Seas Programme. "The ecological consequences of a decline in fish stocks used in fish feed can have devastating effects throughout the marine food chain from wild stocks of cod, haddock, and other commercial species right on up to dolphins, orcas and marine birds." Fish feed and fish oils are produced primarily from industrial fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic and off the coasts of Chile and Peru.

Globally, annual catches of fish feed stocks represents more than one third of total catches. In the Northeast Atlantic, several species are considered to be overfished. Of particular concern is the small, pelagic blue whiting fishery, which is on the brink of collapse. The blue whiting catch in 2001 was 1.8 million tons, more than double its quota, and there is no current management plan for the fishery.

"Governments must recognize that the best way to guarantee the health of marine ecosystems, and thus to maximise the sustainable catch of commercial fish is to ensure the health of the entire ecosystem," added Dr. Cripps. "Aquaculture can play an important role to provide an adequate supply of fish to consumers, but it must happen in tandem with sustainable fisheries and sustainable sourcing, rather than its current status as one of the primary contributors to fisheries decline." WWF Please continue...