The Dirty Secret Behind the Farmed Fish You Eat
In the latest episode of Rising Tide David Helvarg and Blue Frontier’s Joy Leilei Shih speak with Ben Blankenship, Director of video for the Outlaw Ocean project. Ben was also a field team leader for Outlaw Ocean’s latest global investigative report titled: ‘The Dirty Secret behind the farmed fish you eat.’ That secret of course is the use of small forage fish such as sardines and anchovies from the wild ocean converted into fishmeal to feed salmon, shrimp and other pen raised aquaculture animals in what is now the largest sector of the global seafood industry.
Ben talks about what they found in terms of labor abuse at sea and pollution and illegal operations in and around the processing plants and carcinogenic additives in the meal to keep it from catching fire. He also talks about similar investigative work off the Galapagos and in Antarctic waters. So, dive in with us for a fascinating take on what’s happening to the fish you might put on your plate and a new online tool that can help you learn more.
Additional Resources
The Outlaw Ocean Project — The Outlaw Ocean Project is a non-profit journalism organization solely dedicated to producing these stories.
As the global demand for seafood continues to rise, an unsettling reality lurks behind the farm-raised fish on our plates. In a recently published investigative report by The Outlaw Ocean Project, journalist Ben Blankenship sheds light on the clandestine practices that underlie the fish farming industry. His findings bring to the forefront the dark secrets of an industry that is not only detrimental to the ocean's ecosystem but also exploits human labor and resources in ways often unnoticed by consumers.
The Undermining Reality of Farmed Fish
Modern aquaculture, while hailed for its capacity to meet the growing demand for seafood, harbors a dirty secret. At the core of this issue lies the unsustainable practice of using wild-caught small forage fish to feed farmed species like salmon and shrimp. This longstanding practice, highlighted in the report, poses a significant threat to global marine resources and local communities. The depletion of these forage fish not only disrupts the ocean's delicate balance but also deepens food insecurity in regions that rely heavily on fishing.
Blankenship's investigation spans five years and traverses the globe. It uncovers shocking insights into this widespread industry through the dedication of over 70 journalists. From boarding vessels in West Africa to recording conditions on the high seas near the Galapagos, the report paints a vivid picture of the pernicious effects of the fish meal industry. The painstaking work involved mapping over 1,400 fish meal plants across more than 60 countries, revealing a complex network that fuels the aquaculture industry's growth.
Beneath the surface of economic gains, the human cost is staggering. Forced labor and human trafficking, though merely facets of this tangled web, tell a story of exploitation. The report argues that resource extraction perpetuated by wealthier nations devastates poorer regions, leaving local communities to grapple with depleted fish stocks and heightened migration pressures.
Moreover, the process of catching and processing these small fish for feed introduces a suite of ecological concerns. The use of harmful chemicals like ethoxyquin to prevent fish meal combustion poses carcinogenic risks, highlighting yet another layer of negligence within the industry.
Despite these grim findings, there is hope for reform. The report underscores the potential for sustainable alternatives, notably in the farming of bivalves like oysters and clams, which offer ecological benefits and minimal environmental impact. As pointed out by Helvarg, the urgent need for alternative feeds and improved regulatory frameworks is clear.
In response to these revelations, initiatives such as 'Bait to Plate' aim to shine a light on the opaque supply chains of the seafood industry. With the integration of artificial intelligence, this tool enhances transparency, allowing stakeholders to trace the journey from catch to consumer. Such innovations are pivotal in holding corporations accountable for their sustainability claims and enforcing existing regulations.
The Outlaw Ocean Project's remarkable work in exposing these critical issues continues to inspire change and challenge perceptions within the global aquaculture industry. Through informed consumer choices and heightened awareness, the path toward sustainable seafood can be forged, securing a healthier future for our oceans and ourselves.