This study identified 506 fishmeal and fish oil factories in 63 different countries, providing an open source database with locations, company names and raw material types. Fishmeal and oil is a critical input for the aquaculture sector but there is little publicly available information despite many reports of unsustainable practices such as decimating fishing stocks in countries that rely on fish as an important source of nutrients. 

Abstract

Fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) are critical inputs for the compound aquatic feeds sustaining the fed aquaculture sector, yet there is limited publicly available information on the location of FMFO production factories around the globe. This makes it difficult to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of individual factories and the industry’s footprint as a whole. To fill this knowledge gap, we compiled location data for FMFO factories across 63 producing countries. We identified 506 factories owned and/or operated by 413 companies. We provide an open-source database that includes FMFO factory locations, company names, and raw material types. This study offers a first look at the spatial distribution of the FMFO industry and serves as a valuable resource for marine resource managers and policymakers. Knowing the locations of factories and where FMFO production is concentrated can inform the development of cooperative national and international policies to ensure environmentally and socially responsible standards.

Reference
Lauren A. Shea et al. ,Spatial distribution of fishmeal and fish oil factories around the globe.Sci. Adv.11,eadr6921(2025).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adr6921

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THEMES
Fish oils/long chain fatty acids Fisheries
PUBLISHED
21 May 2025
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