Fish AND algae, not fish versus algae: EFFOP provides feedback on European Commission Algae strategy report
2026.7.15
aHow should Europe approach the future of sustainable aquaculture feeds?
EFFOP believes this question should be guided by science.
Today, EFFOP has submitted a letter to the European Commission together with a detailed technical review of the Commission’s recent report replacing replacing Fish-Based Feed with Algae-Based Feed in EU Aquaculture.
Our review fully recognises the important role that algae and other novel feed ingredients will play in the future development of aquaculture. Innovation is essential if aquaculture is to continue expanding sustainably. However, innovation should complement existing sustainable feed resources—not be presented as a replacement without a balanced scientific assessment
Modern aquaculture nutrition has never been about finding a single “perfect” ingredient. Instead, it relies on combining ingredients with complementary nutritional, functional and environmental characteristics to optimise feed performance. The question should therefore not be “How do we replace marine ingredients?” but rather “How do marine ingredients, algae and other novel resources work together to build sustainable aquaculture?”
In our review we highlight several areas where we believe the discussion would benefit from a broader evidence base, including:
- the complementary role of marine ingredients and algae in feed formulation;
- the contribution of fish processing by-products to Europe’s circular bioeconomy;
- the limitations of relying on simplified sustainability metrics such as FFDR in isolation;
- the importance of evaluating ingredients through comprehensive life cycle assessment and nutritional functionality; and
- the need to consider food security, resource efficiency and science-based fisheries management alongside emerging technologies.
Europe’s marine ingredients sector already operates within one of the world’s most transparent and science-based fisheries management systems and increasingly transforms seafood processing by-products into high-value nutritional ingredients, making a significant contribution to the circular blue economy
As Europe develops future aquaculture policy, EFFOP supports an evidence-based approach that recognises the complementary strengths of all sustainable feed ingredients and promotes innovation without overlooking the proven contribution of responsibly sourced marine ingredients.
📄 Our full technical review is available below.