Today’s Dietitian
Vol. 27 No. 9 P. 40
As global demand for seafood continues to rise, aquaculture—the farming of fish and shellfish—has become an essential part of the food system. It’s become even more important as wild fish stocks are increasingly strained, with one-third of global stocks considered overfished—meaning catch rates are unsustainable.1
Despite its importance, farm-raised fish often faces skepticism fueled by outdated information and broad generalizations, says Danielle Blacklock, director of the office of aquaculture at NOAA Fisheries, an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“Our computers don’t look like they did in the 1980s, and neither do our fish farms,” she says. “Aquaculture today uses AI to monitor environmental conditions and animal health. We also monitor fish farms by using satellites and other technologies to make sure our water is clean and the seafood we grow is safe and healthy.”
Modern day aquaculture in the United States is high tech and environmentally responsible, she says.
Aquaculture is now the dominant source of seafood eaten globally (51%), overtaking wild catch for the first time in history.1 The rapid rise of aquaculture is predicted to continue to help revive depleted marine environments.
Correcting Aquaculture Myths
Maybe farmed fish makes you think of crowded, murky tanks or questionable practices in developing countries. These outdated associations have long tarnished the reputation of aquaculture, casting a shadow over an industry that may hold the key to a more sustainable seafood future.
The industry has changed significantly, with more state-of-the-art fish farms popping up in the United States—although Asia still dominates, responsible for about 70% of global aquaculture production.1
Dietitians can help educate the public about the value of farmed seafood and spotlight the advancements and brands that are leading the way in sustainable aquaculture.
Myth #1: Farm-Raised Fish Are Full of Antibiotics and Contaminants
While early aquaculture operations did face issues with overcrowding and overuse of antibiotics, modern practices have drastically improved. Third-party certifications require strict limits on antibiotic use, testing for contaminants, and rigorous animal welfare standards.
Myth #2: Farm-Raised Fish Are Less Nutritious Than Wild-Caught
The nutritional profile of farmed fish often equals—or even exceeds—that of wild fish, especially when it comes to omega-3 fatty acids.2 This is because feed can be formulated to enhance nutrition benefits. Nutritional quality depends on species and feed, not on whether the fish is farmed or wild.3
Myth #3: Farmed Fish Is Reliant on Wild-Captured Fish for Feed
Today’s fish farms use a variety of ingredients for feed, including plant proteins like soy and wheat, insects, fish oil replacements derived from algae, and wild fish trimmings from commercial fisheries. These innovations are making aquaculture more sustainable and less ocean dependent.
Best Choices for Farmed Fish
Dubbed the “Super Green” list, these US farmed seafood choices get top ratings from Seafood Watch and are verified by the Food is Medicine Institute of Tufts University for meeting specific nutrition criteria, including being high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury4:
- rainbow trout;
- striped bass;
- catfish;
- mussels;
- clams; and
- oysters.
Other popular farmed fish and shellfish, including salmon, shrimp, and tilapia, may be good alternatives, although it depends on the species and locations of the farms. Seafood Watch identifies the most sustainable choices among these options, or you can look for third-party certifications to be sure you’re buying the most sustainable choices.
Third-Party Certifications
The most reliable way to identify sustainably farmed seafood is through recognized certification programs. Two of the most widely used in the United States include the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP).
ASC
To achieve ASC certification, seafood farms must pass an independent audit against hundreds of rigorous requirements, including environmental and community impacts, fish health, and water quality. The ASC sea green label indicates the seafood was responsibly farmed and can be tracked back through the supply chain. The program includes an ASC Feed Standard to ensure that feed ingredients are sourced in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner.
BAP
Developed by the Global Seafood Alliance, BAP certifies the full aquaculture supply chain from hatchery to processing. Standards focus on environmental responsibility, animal welfare, food safety, and social accountability. Each star on the BAP label represents a different part of the production chain—processing plant, farm, hatchery, and feed mill—with four stars being the highest designation achievable.
Shopping for Sustainable Farmed Fish
New innovations are making it easier to enjoy responsibly raised seafood at home. From trendy tinned fish to preseasoned fillets and bold, snackable bites, these new products are convenient options for even the most skeptical cooks who may normally shy away from cooking fish.
If you are concerned about buying farmed fish from other parts of the world (the country of origin is required on the label), look for ASC or BAP certifications to feel confident that what you’re buying—or recommending—is safe, nutritious, and responsibly raised.
*Author’s reporting partially based on a sponsored trip to Riverence, an ASC-certified trout farm in Idaho.
— Janet Helm, MS, RDN, is a global food analyst and public relations strategist with 20+ years agency experience working with food and beverage brands and agricultural commodity boards. She started her own consultancy Food at the Helm and is a sought-after speaker on food trends.
Notable Products
- Safe Catch Smoked Trout Fillets: Responsibly sourced from an Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified trout farm, this tinned fish is packed in water or a spicy chili oil.
- Freshé Moroccan Tagine Salmon Meal: A mix of Atlantic salmon, chickpeas, vegetables, and quinoa for topping salads.
- Good & Gather Atlantic Salmon: Preportioned fillets topped with pats of lemon pepper butter that are oven or skillet ready.
- Passion Food Coastal Kick Panko Shrimp Burger: This ready-to-cook shrimp burger is infused with a kick of spicy seasonings and has a crispy panko crust.
- Foppen Hot Smoked Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Bites: These bite-sized ready-to-eat Norwegian salmon pieces are smoked and marinated—perfect for snacking, salads, or effortless meal prep.
- Regal Springs Tilapia Fajitas: Sustainably farmed tilapia strips are designed for easy weeknight dinners including fajitas, tacos, and quick one-pot meals.
References
1. The state of world fisheries and aquaculture: blue transformation in action. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations website. https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/06690fd0-d133-424c-9673-1849e414543d. Updated October 14, 2024. Accessed June 24, 2025.
2. Jensen IJ, Eilertsen KE, Otnæs CHA, Mæhre HK, Elvevoll EO. An update on the content of fatty acids, dioxins, PCBs and heavy metals in farmed, escaped and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in Norway. Foods. 2020;9(12):1901.
3. Kwasek K, Thorne-Lyman AL, Phillips M. Can human nutrition be improved through better fish feeding practices? A review paper. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(22):3822-3835.
4. The super green list of seafood no-brainers. Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch website. https://www.seafoodwatch.org/seafood-basics/sustainable-healthy-fish. Updated 2025. Accessed June 25, 2025.
