Øistein Thorsen from Benchmark’s Sustainability Science division trie, will speak before the Global AgInvesting forum on April 29, 2014 in New York stating that the continued success and global expansion of the aquaculture industry will be derived from identifying investments and early development opportunities that address the challenges posed by disease, feed and waste management. Global fish food aquaculture production has expanded almost 12 times over the past 30 years at an average of 8.8%. As a fast growing, young, industry there are many opportunities to adopt new sustainable management practices. Welfare-focused fish production models can mitigate disease, promote better growth, more efficient feed conversion, and overall increased survival rates and will help businesses move away from antibiotic usage. Feed is generally the most costly input in the industry. New technologies that regulate food delivery and monitor food waste will ease environmental impact and increase profitability. Alternative feed sources such as yeast, bacteria, algae, insects, and animal by-products are in the early stages of development but may contribute to future protein production. Continued investment is needed in waste management within the industry. Waste as nutrition, fuel for a second crop, or products such as fertilizer or energy are all in their early stages, but could boost on-farm profitability and reduce costs.
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