Attendees of the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Global Outlook for Aquaculture Leadership (GOAL) conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have been polled, using electronic devices, on a number of issues thus far. Here are the results of the Day 2 questions. Again, my personal responses are marked with an asterisk.
1. What’s the No. 1 challenge facing aquafeed production?
A—Environmental concerns associated with reduction and bycatch fisheries 33%
B—Labor abuse aboard vessels in reduction and bycatch fisheries 12%
C—Feed approached as a cost, not an investment (low vs. high quality feed) 30%*
D—Lack of investment in alternative protein sources 15%
E—Use of GMOs 2%
F—Lack of common requirements related to feed 8%
2. Which sector needs to be held more accountable for the challenges facing aquafeed production?
A—Feed fish fisheries 15%
B—Feed manufacturers 43%*
C—Aquaculture producers 22%
D—Government regulators 15%
E—NGO community 5%
3. Which is the highest priority to improve the sustainability of aquafeeds?
A—Substitute fishmeal and fish oil with other ingredients 41%
B—Improve the sustainability of fishmeal fisheries 21%
C—Improve the sustainability of the alternative ingredients 22%
D—Process more seafood byproducts into fishmeal to improve feed efficiency at the farm level 15%*
4. Uncontrolled replacement of fishmeal and oil with alternate ingredients may change the nutritional profile and health benefits of the final product. Should certification standards specify a minimum nutritional profile?
A—Yes 67%*
B—No 33%
5. Which area is prone to the most social issues?
A— Hatchery 0%
B—Farm 53%
C—Feed mill 6%
D—Processing plant 41%*
6. Which aspect of aquaculture is getting the most scrutiny today?
A—Environmental issues 34%
B—Social issues 36%*
C—Food safety 22%
D—Traceability 7%
7. Will social welfare concerns dominate environmental concerns in the next two years?
A—Yes 44%*
B—No 17%
C—I hope not 13%
D—The issue has been discussed and resolved 0%
E—Environmental issues remain more important 26%
8. What will be the big emerging issue in aquaculture over the next five years?
A—Feed sources/ingredients 40%*
B—Cost of goods 11%
C—Availability/supply 23%
D—Consolidation in the industry 19%
E—Other issues 8%
9. Do you think the customer in the shop is really engaged/concerned with sustainable sourcing policies?
A—Yes 6%
B—No 29%*
C—Maybe 7%
D—Yes, but financial issues are more pressing 38%
E—Yes, but this will still take a few years for the consumer to catch up with retailers’ actions 19%
10. What is the most crucial issue in aquaculture today?
A—Environment 8%
B—Disease 72%*
C—Feed 9%
D—Financing 7%
E—Market 4%
11. How long will it take to double aquaculture production?
A—Less than 10 years 14%
B—Between 10-15 years 53%
C—Over 15 years 33%*
