IFFO Logo

Aquaculture industry stakeholders communicate vital role in global food security at FAO event

Yesterday, IFFO the Marine Ingredients Organisation hosted a side event with partners at the Committee on Fisheries 33rd Session (COFI 33), held by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).  The side event titled ‘a sustainable future for aquaculture’ gives an opportunity for fishery and feed bodies to communicate the pivotal role that aquaculture plays in global food security, as well as the opportunities and challenges faced across the industry.  This side event provided a comprehensive overview of issues related to feed and sustainable aquaculture to delegates attending COFI 33.   

Along with IFFO, partners for the event were: FAO, European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), The Global Standard for Responsible Supply (IFFO RS), National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and Skretting.  IFFO’s Technical Director, Dr Neil Auchterlonie, represented the marine ingredients industry and discussed the key role of fishmeal and fish oil as feed ingredients, including the importance of the materials in developing modern fed aquaculture.  Other speakers presenting were:

  • Melanie Siggs, Global Aquaculture Alliance
  • John Connelly, National Fisheries Institute
  • Trygve Berg Lea, Skretting
  • Dr Niels Alsted, FEFAC
  • Dr Rodrigo Roubach, FAO

Following his presentation, IFFO’s Neil Auchterlonie noted that “this event presented a unique opportunity to engage stakeholders, and especially government officials and policy-makers, from across the food and agricultural industry, raising the profile and importance of the aquaculture industry.  Marine ingredients, most notably fishmeal and fish oil, are the foundation of feed for the aquaculture industry and remain a strategic ingredient given the highly nutritious qualities.  At IFFO, we are working hard to encourage responsible sourcing and finding the most effective way to use these valuable ingredients.”

-Ends -

Please contact:                 Georgie Harris, Communications Manager

T: +44 (0) 2030 539 195

E: [email protected]

 

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 60% of world production and 80% 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. Fish as Food or Feed: The use of small species of fish as farmed animal (including fish) feed is important for global food security and is entirely appropriate if the source fishery is well managed and does not deprive local communities of good quality food for which there is a demand.