Advancing sustainable and circular aquaculture: Policy Report offers recommendations for Germany and Brazil

Today, more than half of all the fish, mussels, crustaceans, and algae consumed worldwide come from aquaculture – and the numbers are rising. Freshwater aquaculture, in particular, is considered a highly promising way to produce animal protein in a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly way. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to global food security while reducing the pressure on wild ecosystems. A joint Policy Report published today by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (Academia Brasileira de Ciências, ABC) explores what sustainable and circular aquaculture could look like in practice in both Germany and Brazil. The report also offers concrete recommendations for policy-makers, administrative authorities, and researchers.

Both Germany and Brazil have significant untapped potential in freshwater aquaculture. However, this potential has not yet been adequately utilized. Annual per capita fish consumption in both countries remains well below the global average of 20.5 kilogrammes – approximately 10 kg in Brazil and 14 kg in Germany. Despite favourable geographic and climate conditions, Brazil continues to rely heavily on fish imports. In Germany, the situation is even more concerning: Aquaculture production is declining, and only about two percent of finfish consumed comes from domestic aquaculture. To better leverage the potential of freshwater aquaculture, the authors identify three key areas of action:

• Simplify regulatory procedures: Approval procedures should be streamlined and responsibilities more clearly coordinated. Appointing dedicated “Aquaculture Officers” within relevant authorities could help improve efficiency and implementation. 
• Attract and train skilled professionals: Developing sustainable production systems requires targeted initial training and continuing education programmes, including programmes at the university level.
• Translate scientific knowledge into practice: A stronger transfer of research findings and technological innovations to locally adapted approaches is needed. The authors recommend developing tailored technological packages that take into account local conditions, fish species, production systems, and waste management.

The report was developed by an interdisciplinary group of emerging scientists from Brazil and Europe as part of the workshop “Sustainable Aquaculture – Environmental Impacts and Food Security”, held at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in Berlin/Germany in October 2023. The event was organised by the Leopoldina and the ABC with the aim of combining international scientific expertise to jointly shape a vision for the future of sustainable aquaculture.

The Policy Report “Advancing sustainability and circularity in aquaculture to build a resilient global food system” is published in English on the Leopoldina website: https://www.leopoldina.org/en/aquaculture

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About the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
As the German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina provides independent science-based policy advice on matters relevant to society. To this end, the Academy develops interdisciplinary statements based on scientific findings. In these publications, options for action are outlined; making decisions, however, is the responsibility of democratically legitimized politicians. The experts who prepare the statements work in a voluntary and unbiased manner. The Leopoldina represents the German scientific community in the international academy dialogue. This includes advising the annual summits of Heads of State and Government of the G7 and G20 countries. With around 1,700 members from more than 30 countries, the Leopoldina combines expertise from almost all research areas. Founded in 1652, it was appointed the National Academy of Sciences of Germany in 2008. The Leopoldina is committed to the common good.