The Fish Behind Fish Feed: Rethinking Transparency Using DNA Tools

Cusa, M, Binner, M, Maiello, G, Dowell, R ORCID: 0000-0002-1518-3909 and Mariani, S ORCID: 0000-0002-5329-0553 (2026) The Fish Behind Fish Feed: Rethinking Transparency Using DNA Tools. Fish and Fisheries, 27 (3). pp. 771-780. ISSN 1467-2960

Preview

Text Fish and Fisheries - 2026 - Cusa - The Fish Behind Fish Feed Rethinking Transparency Using DNA Tools.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

Aquaculture is now the fastest growing food sector and may be a promising solution to increasing seafood demands. Yet, carnivorous aquaculture species such as salmon and seabass continue to rely on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), which are derived largely from pelagic fish that are sometimes key to the food security of some coastal nations. This reliance on wild-caught resources fuels debates around the ethics, sustainability and socio-economic impacts of transforming edible fish into feed. Despite growing concerns, traceability and transparency around the origin and composition of FMFO is limited, leaving feed ingredients largely invisible to customers, consumers and policymakers. We argue that this opacity erodes trust and hinders informed debate and conversation around the growth of aquaculture, its sustainability, and ethical concerns regarding just and equitable food systems. Here, we highlight how DNA metabarcoding of commercial feed samples offers a promising transparency tool by revealing a wide diversity of species, far beyond what labels disclose. If aquaculture is to demonstrate that it supports global food security, this blind spot around fish feed will need to be addressed urgently. Increased transparency on FMFO sourcing and composition could rebuild public trust, empower producers, consumers and regulators, and safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities by ensuring a just pathway to aquaculture production.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	aquaculture; DNA metabarcoding; fishmeal and fish oil; FMFO; food security; traceability; 30 Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences; 3005 Fisheries Sciences; 4104 Environmental Management; 41 Environmental Sciences; 2 Zero Hunger; 14 Life Below Water; 0602 Ecology; 0704 Fisheries Sciences; Fisheries; 3005 Fisheries sciences; 3103 Ecology; 4104 Environmental management
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Wiley
Date of acceptance:	9 March 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	12 June 2026
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2026 14:21
Last Modified:	12 Jun 2026 14:21
DOI or ID number:	10.1111/faf.70080
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28833

View Item