Key Findings in the Global Aquaculture Study:
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems and Other Sophisticated Products will be Key to Production Recirculating aquaculture systems; meters, feeders, and other equipment that reduce labor costs; and improved feed and other inputs will all be required to meet global demand for fish. These products allow fish farms to reduce labor costs, accelerate fish growth rates, and increase stocking densities, all of which will promote greater production levels without requiring substantially more land or water while also reducing the potential for environmental harm.
Higher Stocking Densities Will Increase Risks of Aquaculture Diseases Increased numbers of fish in an aquaculture system will raise the risk of outbreaks of costly diseases such as infectious salmon anemia virus and white spot syndrome, as well as sea lice and other health hazards that have challenged aquaculture production over the past decade. Innovations in water quality management – including the use of specialty treatment chemicals, disinfection equipment, and circulation systems – and improvements to immunity supplements, aquafeed formulations, and pharmaceuticals will all be crucial to reduce the risk of outbreaks of these diseases.
Innovations in Aquafeed to Address Fish Meal and Fish Oil Challenges Supplies of fish meal and fish oil for use in aquafeeds have been threatened by rising demand for these products in other applications and by declining global capture fishery production of anchovies and other fish used for the production of fish meal and fish oil. At the same time, rising demand for shrimp, salmon, and other carnivorous fish has increased the need for these products. Improved aquafeeds with innovative blends of plant proteins such as soy, land animal protein, and other ingredients will be key to keep feed conversion ratios low, maintain healthy fish growth rates, and reduce the incidence of disease.
Study Coverage
This study presents historical demand data (2007, 2012, and 2017) and forecasts for 2022 by region, product – aquafeed, equipment (habitats, pumps, filters, and meters) and chemicals (water treatment chemicals, aquafeed supplements, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers) – and market (hatcheries, intensive grow-out aquaculture, and extensive grow-out aquaculture). The study also evaluates company market share and analyzes industry competitors including Bayer, BioMar, Cargill, Charoen Pokphand, CP Prima, Ebara, Grobest, Grundfos, Merck, Nutreco, Pentair, Royal DSM, Tongwei, and Xylem.
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What does this aquaculture study cover?
aquafeeds (commercial aquafeeds only)
equipment (habitats, pumps, filters, meters, and other equipment)
chemicals (water treatment chemicals, aquafeed supplements, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers)
Aquafeed demand is further broken out into demand by feed ingredients, including fish meal, fish oil, and other ingredients. Demand for supplies and equipment is also shown by market, including hatcheries, extensive grow-out aquaculture, and intensive grow-out aquaculture. Hatchery demand figures reflect supplies and equipment demand for fish farms with hatchery operations only; farms that produce fry, fingerlings, and adults are included in grow-out aquaculture.
In addition, aquaculture production figures in both value and volume terms only include finfish and shellfish aquaculture and exclude production of aquatic plants, aquatic non-fish animals, and aquatic animal products. Volume production figures represent whole-fish volumes before processing, while value production figures are based on farm-gate pricing.
What are the key definitions you need to know?
Anadromous
Fish that spend their adult lives in salt water, but return to freshwater to spawn.
Aquaculture
The farming of aquatic and marine animals; for the purposes of this study, aquaculture includes finfish and shellfish and excludes marine mammals and seaweed.
Aquafeeds
Manufactured feeds for aquaculture species; may include farm-made or commercial aquafeeds. For the purposes of this study, only commercial aquafeeds are included.
Aquaponics
Systems that combine aquaculture with hydroponics (raising plants in water).
Capture Fisheries
The harvesting of naturally occurring fish and other marine and aquatic organisms.
Catadromous
Fish that spend their adult lives in freshwater, but return to salt water to spawn.
Diadromous
Fish that spend part of their lives in freshwater and part of their lives in salt water; includes anadromous and catadromous fish.
Extensive Aquaculture
Aquaculture that relies on no commercial aquafeeds; may include the use of farm-made feeds or fertilizers to supplement fish nutrition.
Finfish
Bony or cartilaginous fish.
Fisheries
All aquatic and marine resources; includes fish production from both aquaculture and capture fisheries.
Farm-Gate
Prices paid at the farm level. May refer to the prices paid by fish farmers for supplies and equipment; may also refer to the market prices received by fish farmers for fish products.
Feed Conversion Ratio
The number of kilograms of aquafeed required to raise one kilogram of fish.
Feed Supplements
Additional vitamins and other nutraceuticals purchased by fish farmers to supplement commercial aquafeeds or for inclusion in farm-made feeds.
Fish Seed
Fish eggs, spawn, larva, fry, and fingerlings.
Grow-Out Aquaculture
Aquaculture operations dedicated to the production of fully grown adult fish; may include some on-site hatchery operations.
Hatchery
An aquaculture operation dedicated to the production of fish seed.
Intensive Aquaculture
Aquaculture that relies on commercial aquafeeds for part or all of a fish’s diet.
Monoculture
The farming of a single fish type in an aquaculture system.
Polyculture
The farming of multiple fish types in an aquaculture system.
Raceways
Artificial channels used in aquaculture; may also be called flow-through systems.
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Aquaculture systems that treat and reuse water in a closed loop.
Shellfish
Aquatic or marine mollusks and crustaceans.