Offshore fish farms: a new wave of food production… or the “wild west” of ocean pollution?

The enclosures stretch the length of an Olympic swimming pool, but from above they appear like floating dots scattered across the ocean. Inside, fish mingle as submerged enclosures sway in the open ocean currents.
Known as offshore fish farms, these structures have emerged around the world in recent years. Their proliferation in open waters, often located several kilometers from the coast, has sparked heated debate: some see them as the next frontier for the sustainable production of fish such as Atlantic salmon, bass and cobia; others describe them as "the industrial farming of the sea".
What almost everyone agrees on is that these deep-sea farms are poised to expand in the coming years. Between 1961 and 2017, global demand for fish grew by an average of 3.1% per year, leaving companies to scramble.
"Aquaculture is the form of fastest growing food production in the world," says Robert Jones, Global Head of Aquaculture at the Nature Conservancy. "And we are at the very beginning of this industry. Now is the opportunity to influence where pageElements.ImageBlockElement" class="dcr-10khgmf">
The Nature Conservancy has long seen offshore farms as a potential game-changer for fish production, although it faces enormous challenges. "It's growing rapidly around the world and it's an opportunity for conservation," Jones said. "But it can also potentially come at the expense of the environment."
What appeals to the organization is the possibility that farms can alleviate pressure on wild fish populations. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in 1974 about 10% of fish stocks in the world's marine fisheries were being depleted too quickly for species to replace themselves. By 2017, that proportion had jumped to 34%.
The deep-sea location of offshore farms is also seen as a plus, as stronger currents can dilute the waste and avoid the coast. degradation often seen on fish farms located in bays and estuaries.
Others argue that the environmental concerns outweigh the potential benefits. Last month, a coalition...

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Offshore fish farms: a new wave of food production… or the “wild west” of ocean pollution?

The enclosures stretch the length of an Olympic swimming pool, but from above they appear like floating dots scattered across the ocean. Inside, fish mingle as submerged enclosures sway in the open ocean currents.

Known as offshore fish farms, these structures have emerged around the world in recent years. Their proliferation in open waters, often located several kilometers from the coast, has sparked heated debate: some see them as the next frontier for the sustainable production of fish such as Atlantic salmon, bass and cobia; others describe them as "the industrial farming of the sea".

What almost everyone agrees on is that these deep-sea farms are poised to expand in the coming years. Between 1961 and 2017, global demand for fish grew by an average of 3.1% per year, leaving companies to scramble.

"Aquaculture is the form of fastest growing food production in the world," says Robert Jones, Global Head of Aquaculture at the Nature Conservancy. "And we are at the very beginning of this industry. Now is the opportunity to influence where pageElements.ImageBlockElement" class="dcr-10khgmf"> Fisherman at a fish farm off the Moroccan town of M'diq, October 2019

The Nature Conservancy has long seen offshore farms as a potential game-changer for fish production, although it faces enormous challenges. "It's growing rapidly around the world and it's an opportunity for conservation," Jones said. "But it can also potentially come at the expense of the environment."

What appeals to the organization is the possibility that farms can alleviate pressure on wild fish populations. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in 1974 about 10% of fish stocks in the world's marine fisheries were being depleted too quickly for species to replace themselves. By 2017, that proportion had jumped to 34%.

The deep-sea location of offshore farms is also seen as a plus, as stronger currents can dilute the waste and avoid the coast. degradation often seen on fish farms located in bays and estuaries.

Others argue that the environmental concerns outweigh the potential benefits. Last month, a coalition...