Transparency and Traceability: The Hidden Ingredients in Responsible Feed

The real debate around aquafeed’s environmental footprint is no longer focused on marine vs. plant ingredients; it’s all about traceable vs. unknown.

Aquaculture has faced an enduring conflict of opinions: should we push diets toward plant-based ingredients, or retain greater reliance on marine inputs? 

A recent international study, led by Richard S. Cottrell of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and the Centre for Marine Socioecology at the University of Tasmania, challenges the idea that raw ingredient choice alone dictates environmental sustainability.  

The research, published in the Nature Food journal, shows that traceability, production efficiency, and geographic origin are more important to consider than the mere percentage of marine vs. plant ingredients in the feed. It’s not surprising when nearly 90% of aquafeed’s total environmental footprint stems from the raw material production phase. 

This insight aligns strongly with what the ASC Feed Standard emphasises: sustainability is not just about what goes into the feed, it’s about where those ingredients come from and how they were produced at a raw material level. 

Origin and Efficiency Are Critical

The study models environmental footprints for Atlantic salmon feed and finds that differences in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water use, and other environmental pressures are far more pronounced within one feed type (e.g. variation among plant-based ingredient sources) than between a marine-rich vs. plant-rich feed. 

In other words, ‘low marine’ feed isn’t automatically better for the environment. If its plant ingredients come from poorly managed or inefficient systems, it is likely to generate a heavier footprint. 

For example, transitioning to more plant ingredients tends to raise nutrient footprints and freshwater usage, effectively shifting pressure from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems. 

Traceability and Due Diligence Become Non-Negotiable

The authors of this study argue that simply labelling feed products as ‘low in marine input’ is inadequate to give an accurate picture of their sustainability.  

What matters more is granular traceability. Tracking the efficiency, sustainability, and footprint of each supplier and source, not just the broad ingredient category. It highlights the need for a holistic approach to feed. 

In effect, poorly sourced ingredients can negate or even reverse the presumed environmental gains from swapping them out for other ingredients. 

Although it was not covered in this research, traceability and due diligence are also integral to assessing and reducing risk of social impacts across the feed ingredient supply chain. 

The ASC Feed Standard Takes a Holistic Approach

Transparency and traceability play a crucial role in promoting more environmental and social responsibility within the feed supply chain. The ASC Feed Standard provides the framework needed to implement a truly holistic feed sourcing model. 

By clearly documenting the origin of each ingredient and sourcing them responsibly, feed companies can drive improved practices in their supply chains and promote a shift towards greater accountability for the entire industry. 

The Supplier Code of Conduct within the ASC Feed Standard is an important starting place for managing the potential socio-environmental risks of the ingredients that go into aquafeed.   

It’s a tool to prompt greater communication around sustainability expectations between the feed manufacturer and its suppliers, ensuring traceability and mitigation measures have been initiated for socio-environmental risks.

Addressing the more pressing risks associated with aquafeed ingredient production, ASC Feed Standard due diligence applies to all ingredients accounting for more than 1% of the total annual purchased volume for aquafeeds.  

This means that ASC-certified feed mills source primary raw materials that have been thoroughly assessed for legal, environmental and social risks. 

The Future of Feed is…Traceable

It’s time to stop viewing ingredient percentages in isolation. It’s vital to integrate data on supplier practices, regional impact, and full life‐cycle footprints. 

More sustainable sourcing not only contributes to environmental conservation but also addresses the long-term viability of the aquaculture industry. 

Through structured due diligence, flexible compliance pathways, and ongoing industry collaboration, ASC-certified feed mills can navigate sourcing challenges while upholding responsible aquaculture practices.