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Updated FIFO calculation by IFFO shows more salmonids produced than fish consumed in 2015

 

IFFO, The Marine Ingredients Organisation, has calculated new Fish In: Fish Out ratios (FIFO) for 2015 and for the first time FIFO figures for salmonids are below 1. Calculated with FAO data, Fish In: Fish Out ratios (FIFO) have been used by as a way of reviewing the consumption of wild fish by the sector since the 1990s.  Salmonids have drawn attention on this subject in the past, and have been criticised previously for their use of fishmeal and fish oil.  In 2015 the sector produced more fish protein than it consumed.

Previously, IFFO provided figures for FIFO for 2000 and 2010 and has now updated these using 2015 production and consumption data.  The 2015 figures retain the trend of reducing FIFOs seen between 2000 and 2010.  Overall fed aquaculture FIFOs have declined from 0.63 to 0.33 to 0.22 over the period.  Succinctly put, this means that for every 1kg of wild fish consumed by the aquaculture industry as feed, a total of 4.55kg of farmed fish was produced in 2015.  As aquafeed volume has continued to increase against a background of finite fishmeal and fish oil supply, we may expect that in 2017 the figure is even higher. 

IFFO’s Technical Director Dr Neil Auchterlonie, who calculated these figures noted “the fishmeal industry supports the production of a significantly greater volume of protein for humanity than would be supplied merely through the direct consumption of the fish used as raw material in the production process.  This represents a significant contribution to global food security.”  

To read the full report click here.

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Notes for Editors

  1. IFFO is an international trade organisation that represents and promotes the marine ingredients industry, such as fishmeal, fish oil and other related industries. Marine ingredients are nutritious products used mainly for aquafeed, land animal feed as well as for human consumption and are derived from marine organisms such as fish, krill, shellfish and algae. IFFO’s members reside in more than 50 countries, account for over 50% of world production and 75% of the fishmeal and fish oil traded worldwide. IFFO is an accredited Observer to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). More information at www.iffo.net
  2. Fishmeal is a natural, balanced, highly nutritious feed ingredient used in diets for farmed fish and crustaceans and as a high protein supplement in nutritionally demanding periods in the life cycle of pigs and poultry, as well as in pet food.
  3. Fish oil is the major natural source (97%) of the healthy long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Most fish oil is used in feeds for farmed fish and there is an expanding market for fish oil for human nutritional supplements and functional foods.