Scaling up the Sustainability of the Salmon Aquaculture Industry: Implementation of Integrated Multi-Trophic Salmon Aquaculture

Abstract

The current and rapid expansion of the fish farm industry gives it the potential to be sustainably shaped as a solution to diminishing wild fisheries and a means of food security for a growing human population. By focusing on salmon as a template species, this essay explores the current unsustainable problems negatively characterizing the aquaculture industry like inefficient baitfish feeds, disease, and pollution, while also presenting options for sustainable improvements. Research on diverse global salmon aquaculture production methods and policy was gathered through analysis of relevant texts including: scientific institute reports and publications, an aquaculture textbook, scientific journal articles, and a seafood expert’s nonfiction writings. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) was found to be a promising solution in terms of the ecological and economic sustainability of salmon aquaculture. This paper argues that world governments should promote sustainable salmon aquaculture by removing regulatory barriers and financially incentivizing IMTA.