REPONSIBLE PRACTICES

From Proxy to Practice: New guide links science and farming to boost sustainable aquafeeds

Alicante, 2 September 2025 | Aquaculture researchers present practical tools and a GIS-based model to help companies and administrations reduce impacts, optimise production and support informed decision-making

Granja de viveros flotantes en el Mediterráneo

Feed is one of the main cost drivers in aquaculture and also one of the most significant sources of environmental impact. With the sector under increasing pressure to reduce its footprint and ensure sustainable growth, practical tools that connect research with everyday farming practices are becoming ever more valuable.

Responding to this need, a new study, From Proxy to Practice, has been released to help feed companies, producers and researchers adopt more responsible approaches. Developed within the Sustainable Aquafeed Innovation project, it translates scientific knowledge into solutions that can be applied directly in the field.

The publication offers practical examples, such as the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare the real environmental impacts of feed ingredients, the potential of novel raw materials like algae, insect meal and microbial proteins, and the importance of data transparency to accelerate innovation across the value chain.

Researchers also highlight findings from their modelling work. A GIS-integrated proxy model classifies production carrying capacity for offshore farming cages of gilthead seabream, European seabass and meagre, showing that capacity can be increased through best practices such as feed optimisation and cage-layout adjustments.

Thanks to its modular and exportable design, the model can be adapted to other regions, incorporating additional factors such as sensitive habitats. It can also serve as a management tool for public administrations and aquaculture companies, supporting decisions on granting new concessions or identifying high-capacity sites, provided that GIS training and data-sharing protocols are in place. For instance, researchers found that Andalusia was the only region with a high carrying capacity area (13.1% of its AZA), although none of the existing aquaculture concessions are currently located within it.

The guide also addresses barriers that slow the adoption of sustainable feed solutions, including the lack of harmonised methodologies and limited data access, while encouraging greater transparency and collaboration across the sector.

This publication forms part of wider international efforts to ensure aquaculture feeds are not only cost-effective and efficient, but also environmentally sustainable. The full guide is available on the project’s platform and is expected to become a useful reference for professionals across the industry.

It is important to note that the specific GIS-based model discussed comes from a “journal pre-proof” published in Aquaculture, meaning it has been accepted for publication but is not yet the final, definitive version.

Reference:
Fourdain, L., Forcada, A., Sánchez-Jerez, P., & Toledo-Guedes, K. (2025). From proxy to practice: GIS-based evaluation of production carrying capacity in pre-selected allocated zones for aquaculture. Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.743134

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