The technology exists to get much more efficient conversion of fish meal to farmed salmon.

Using growth enhanced transgenic salmon. They convert feed to body mass much more eficiently than wild fish and reach marketable size in about half the time. I believe they are about to be approved by the FDA for sale in US fish markets.

This could be a good thing provided Land Tuna's concerns about forage fish are addressed before populations crash.

BTW, I don't think that fish meal is the only source of protein that could be used to grow farmed salmon, its just the cheapest. If proper pressure for sustainable farming where placed on the fish farmers, I'm sure they could develop other feeds that were more ecologically sound.


Look at the growth in demand for salmon (and fish in general). It has followed global populations growth which shows no signs of slowing any time soon. Since total salmon harvest appears to be at (or above) sustainable harvest levels in most areas, something has to pick up the slack.
If fish farming can't supply the worlds hunger for salmon, then angling for salmon will continue to decline at the hands of the comercial fishing fleet.

I'm not saying that aquaculture should get a pass, or that it doesn't do damage to the environment. However, I think its the best hope wild fish have in the face of increasing demands for fish. I think we could play a role in helping form public opinion about fish farming. It may not be great for wild fish, but I suspect the alternatives to fish farming are very bleak indeed.