Leading the responsible development of marine ingredients

While ocean-climate solutions are increasingly being considered, while the blue economy is gaining prominence as a response to food security, biodiversity loss and land use change,?the marine ingredients sector’s positioning must be clear and well understood.

Responsible practices pave the way along the journey that leads to sustainability. IFFO’s role is to highlight those practices, which are well represented within the membership and shed light on those initiatives and case studies that shape the narrative and the future of not only the feed sector but the food sector in general.

We do this by providing a meeting point and being the main source of information, to ensure that the vital role of sustainable marine ingredients in the global food system is widely recognised.

Our history is underpinned by the industry's ability to adapt:

From 1959 to the 1990s, we created a network for the industry to grow and respond to growing and changing demand. Between 1960 and 1990, usage of fishmeal switched from mainly pig and poultry feed to mainly aquafeed. While in the 1960s, aquaculture was relatively niche, with an output of a few million tonnes per year, annual production increased rapidly to reach 17 million tonnes in 1990.

In the 90s and until the 2010s, the push to promote free trade opened up new markets but also raised concerns about people’s welfare and the future of natural resources. Voluntary guidelines emerged. The?FAO’s Code of conduct for responsible fisheries?was adopted in 1995.?IFFO enabled the industry to provide reassurance.

Today, IFFO promotes an open and responsible industry that is vital to the global food industry, while delivering collaborative programmes of research and data gathering, encouraging fisheries to get involved in FIPs (fisheries improvement projects).?IFFO supports the circular economy mindset and the FAO's Blue Transformation roadmap.

In a rapidly changing landscape, collaboration is needed to tackle environmental and social issues.?The way businesses address them is diverse though - there is strength in diversity.