ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 59 source from. Half of the global marine ingredients production is certified under the MarinTrust standard. FISHERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (FIPs) For fisheries not yet meeting certification standards, Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) offer a structured pathway toward better practices. These multi-stakeholder initiatives involve industry, government, and NGOs working collaboratively to address gaps in management, data collection, and enforcement. MarinTrust’s Improver Programme provides a framework for fishmeal and fish oil producers to source from fisheries that are actively improving and as such are involved in a MarinTrust accepted FIP. The programme includes time-bound action plans, independent audits, and public reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability. Examples of successful FIPs include one in Panama, which transitioned successfully to certification after having driven major policy reform and change in fishery management practices. BEYOND CERTIFICATION: A SYSTEMS APPROACH While certification and FIPs are essential tools, they must be part of a broader systems approach to responsible fishing. This includes: • Ecosystem-based management: Recognising the interconnectedness of species and habitats, and managing fisheries within the context of the wider marine environment. • Climate resilience: Adapting management strategies to account for shifting species distributions and changing ocean conditions. • By-product utilisation: Increasing the use of fish processing by-products in fishmeal and fish oil production. Currently, one-third of global fishmeal and over half of fish oil production comes from by-products. This trend is expected to grow, supported by innovations in processing technology and supply chain integration, and by the growing volumes of fish products from the aquaculture sector. • The industry’s commitment: The Global Roundtable on Marine Ingredients, co-founded by IFFO and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, brings together stakeholders from across the value chain to share best practices, align on goals, and drive collective action. Responsible fishing is not a static goal but a dynamic process that requires engagement with fishing communities and value chains, adaptability, and collaboration. The marine ingredients industry, through effective fishery management, certification, and improvement projects, is demonstrating that it is possible to meet the growing demand for feed ingredients while safeguarding marine ecosystems. As aquaculture continues to expand, customers demand more assurances on the seafood products they buy: As a result, the sourcing policies of retailers become more demanding and specific, with emphasis put on traceability and social responsibility. In this context, ensuring the availability of responsibly sourced marine ingredients is critical and is a shared responsibility: that of science, governance, and industry. Photo: IFFO
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