Fish Farming is how the world will get most of its meat in the future and it can be environmentally produced

For global fish availability to meet projected demand, [the World Resources Institute] estimates that aquaculture production will need to more than double by midcentury, rising from 67 million tons (Mt) in 2012 to roughly 140 Mt in 2050. This level of growth could bring about significant food security and development benefits. For example, we estimate it could close roughly 14 percent of the “gap” between global animal protein consumption today and that needed in 2050. In addition, it could boost income and employment, particularly in developing countries where most aquaculture growth will occur.

Fish and shellfish are already among the most eco-friendly sources of animal protein, Waite tells The Salt. They don’t emit anywhere near the amount of greenhouse gases that , and most farmed fish convert feed into edible meat very efficiently. Producing an additional 80 million tons of farmed fish per year by 2050, Waite says, would be much easier on the planet than producing an additional 80 million tons of beef.

Over the past 20 years, fish farms have greatly reduced the amount of fish meal they use in their feed, the report finds. As we’ve noted, a few salmon farms in South Africa are replacing fish meal with to take fish farms’ pressure off the oceans.

We can use less feed if we can get people to eat more seafood that’s lower on the food chain. Tilapia, catfish, carp — as well as mollusks like oysters, scallops and clams — don’t require as much feed.

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