Around the world, millions of tons of small fish are processed into fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) each year—key ingredients in aquaculture that helps farmed fish, like salmon, grow. A new University of British Columbia (UBC) study has revealed the global distribution of FMFO factories for the first time, shedding light on a critical area of the aquaculture supply chain, identifying where these ingredients are being produced, and who controls the industry's footprint.
Published in Science Advances, the study delivers the first-ever open-source global map of FMFO factories—506 in total, spread across 63 countries, with Peru, Mauritania, and Chile hosting the highest numbers.
"Production of fishmeal is a major issue in aquaculture. Understanding where FMFO production occurs is essential for addressing its environmental, social, and economic impacts," said lead author, Lauren Shea, who conducted this research while a Master's student at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. "Knowing that, along with what species are being used and how it affects local environments and economies, can support the development of more transparent and responsible aquaculture practices."
Over 400 companies operate these factories, with many concentrated in sensitive regions already facing fishery stress. Nearly 40 per cent of FMFO continues to be made from whole wild-caught fish, many of which are critical to marine food webs and human nutrition in low-income coastal communities.
This makes the industry both vital and controversial, according to the study's authors. On one hand, it supports aquaculture, which is essential for meeting global seafood demand as wild fish stocks decline. On the other hand, its reliance on wild-caught, small-pelagic fish—like anchovies and sardines—which are critical to the dietary backbone for communities in regions like West Africa and Southeast Asia.
"Dependence on the global FMFO trade could undermine food security while fueling unsustainable fishing practices," explained Dr. Rashid Sumaila, professor at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and senior author on the study. "This is not just an environmental issue—it's about justice and equity."
The study used satellite imagery, national databases, and industry certifications to verify factory locations and raw material use. Company websites, government lists, and open-source certification data were also cross-referenced.
The resulting database shows stark patterns. Peru, for example, hosts 125 FMFO factories—the highest in the world—while Mauritania ranks second with 42, many of which have been linked to reduced local fish availability and rising prices. Yet, countries with few factories, like Norway and Denmark, often have disproportionately high production, thanks to better technologies and economies of scale.
The researchers emphasised that the database was just a starting point. Regular updates and deeper dives into factory-level environmental and social impacts are essential next steps, noting that countries like China, a major FMFO player, remain opaque due to language barriers, lack of public reporting, and minimal online presence from producers.
"With more transparent data, governments and organizations can better regulate FMFO sourcing, track environmental impacts, and support alternatives—like plant-based feeds or novel proteins—that reduce pressure on wild fish stocks," said Shea. "By-products can be a sustainable solution when managed properly. Improved data could further enable traceability, helping ensure that seafood products are sourced responsibly throughout the supply chain."
Dr. Sumaila agreed, noting that frameworks, like the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), which encourages governments to publish key data on fish production and trade, are excellent tools to use in conjunction with this map database. He highlights Mauritania, a FiTI member, for its leadership in its publicly accessible factory list.
"Science can only go so far," said Sumaila. "We need political will, corporate accountability, and community engagement to drive real change. If aquaculture is going to be part of a sustainable food future, we need better data, smarter policies, and ethical sourcing of feed ingredients," he said.
