Marine ecosystems face threats from ocean warming and aquaculture expansion

Rising ocean temperatures and the expansion of industrial aquaculture are significantly altering marine ecosystems and threatening food security. Research indicates that European seas experienced their warmest summer months since 1982, with average temperatures reaching 21.6 degrees Celsius between June and August. This warming is causing traditional species like kelp, lobster, and crayfish to disappear in areas such as the Bay of Biscay, while new species, including octopus, migrate into these warmer waters.

Simultaneously, the growth of the aquaculture industry poses a risk to wild fish stocks. A report by Changing Markets warns that if current trends continue, nearly 46 percent of the global wild fish catch could be used for fish feed by 2040, up from approximately 13.3 percent today. This shift toward using wild fish to feed farmed fish is criticized as an inefficient use of resources that undermines food security.

Experts note that the industrial aquaculture model often competes with small-scale coastal fisheries for space and resources. In West Africa, for example, the conversion of edible fish into feed has impacted the livelihoods of small-scale fishers, with reports suggesting that fish previously used to feed millions of people is now being diverted to feed industrial fish farms.