Farmed Salmon Impacts West African Fisheries

Dr. Christina Chemtai Hicks, a marine scientist at Lancaster University in the UK, explains that increased salmon farming is shifting costs to communities in the Global South.

Until the 1990s, most consumed fish came from wild sources. Now, over 2.4 million tons of salmon are farmed annually, with the majority originating from Norway, Chile, Scotland, and Canada.

This industry relies heavily on wild-caught small pelagic fish—sardines, herrings, and mackerel—processed into fishmeal and oil to feed farmed salmon. Historically sourced from South America, the industry now increasingly obtains these fish from West Africa. This shift has led to a decrease in small pelagic fish available to local West African communities by half, while prices have risen by 500%.

The loss of this affordable, nutrient-rich food source impacts nutrition, particularly for children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Though global food production offers dietary flexibility, the environmental and social impacts of salmon farming remain substantial. The industry has not yet addressed the nutritional needs of communities affected by its sourcing practices, and work to create a more equitable system continues.