inoqo’s Impact Database considers various factors regarding the agricultural stage for both wild and farmed seafood:

Wild Seafood:

• Production, maintenance, and dismantling of fishing vessels
• Production and waste treatment of fishing nets and gear
• Diesel burned in fishing vessels

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Farmed Seafood:

• N2O emissions arising from the excretion of fish
• On-farm energy use, which includes the pumping in and out of fresh water, aeration, temperature control, and filtration
• Feed production, which involves either cultivating crops or catching wild seafood for processing into feed ingredients

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As consumers become more environmentally conscious, the debate surrounding shrimp production has gained significant traction. With shrimp being one of the most popular seafood choices worldwide, understanding the differences between wild-caught and farmed shrimp is crucial for making informed decisions.

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The State of Shrimp Production

Farmed shrimp now accounts for over 50% of the shrimp consumed globally. Most of this production occurs in countries like China, Thailand, and Indonesia. While shrimp farming provides substantial income for developing nations, it also poses serious environmental challenges. Common practices, such as the clearing of mangroves for shrimp ponds, lead to habitat loss and water pollution.

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In contrast, wild-caught shrimp, primarily harvested from oceans, encounter significant challenges. Industrial fishing practices, especially trawling, often result in high levels of bycatch, leading to substantial waste and disruption of marine food webs. Moreover, the carbon footprint associated with these fishing methods is alarming, primarily due to the fossil fuels consumed by large fishing vessels

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This is especially evident when we compare the carbon footprints of this globally popular seafood choice, whether it is farmed or wild. (Note: This analysis looks only at the farm stage, excluding storage, transport, and retail impacts.)

🦐 Farmed Shrimps and Prawns from China: These farmed shrimps and prawns have a climate impact of 7.5 kg CO2e/kg at port, largely driven by energy consumption and feed production.

🦐 Wild-Caught Tiger Prawns from Australia: In contrast, wild-caught tiger prawns have a significantly higher carbon footprint of 28.0 kg CO2e/kg at port, primarily due to the high diesel usage of fishing vessels.

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‍The Climate Impact - Wild vs. Farmed Seafood

The sustainability of wild seafood depends on various factors. Generally, the more scarce a species is, the longer fishermen must search for it. This can be due to several reasons:

Habitat Challenges: Some species may be more spread out or inhabit areas that are difficult to navigate, while others may reside farther from shore, leading to longer travel times.

‍Fishing Techniques: Different fishing methods also affect fuel consumption. For example, dragging a heavy net along the seabed consumes more fuel than mid-water trawling.

‍Fuel Allocation: When multiple species are caught simultaneously, fuel use is allocated among them based on market prices. This means that more valuable seafood receives a higher fuel allocation, impacting its overall sustainability.

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Several factors also affect the sustainability of farmed seafood:

‍Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): Fish with a better FCR require less feed to produce the same amount of live weight, resulting in lower environmental impacts. However, the feed may include soy sourced from deforested areas, depending on the region and species.

‍On-Farm Energy Use: Shrimp and prawns typically require significant energy due to the high density of stocked ponds, necessitating substantial aeration to maintain oxygen levels in the water. In countries like China and India, electricity production is often heavily reliant on fossil fuels, further contributing to the environmental impact.

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Making Sustainable Choices

For those committed to sustainability, selecting shrimp from certified sources is key. Look for labels that indicate sustainable fishing practices or responsible aquaculture certifications. Organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) offer guidelines for consumers to identify sustainably sourced seafood. When choosing seafood, it's generally advisable to avoid crustaceans due to their environmental impacts. For aquaculture farmers, sourcing soy feed that is not linked to deforestation is essential for promoting sustainable practices. Ultimately, the choice between wild-caught and farmed shrimp isn’t straightforward. Both options have environmental impacts that warrant consideration. Informed decisions can contribute to more sustainable food systems and help protect our oceans and ecosystems.

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🎧 For a deeper dive into the sustainability issues surrounding seafood, check out our latest webinar, "Fishing for Answers: Why Distinguishing Between Farmed and Wild-Caught Fish in LCA Makes All the Difference", featuring our Head of Research, @Bernhard Wohner, and Co-Founder & CMO, @Helene Saurais.