Athens International Workshop – Responsible Aquaculture “From Traceable Raw Materials to Certified Fish Feeds”

On Wednesday the 17th of September in Athens, we had the privilege to participate in a remarkable workshop organized by HAPO and MarinTrust, titled “From Traceable Raw Materials to Certified Fish Feeds”.

The event brought together esteemed scientists, global organizations such as:

We had the honor to host the General Secretary of the Ministry of Agricultural Development, Mr. Protopsaltis and the President of FEAP Mrs. Barazi-Geroulanou, a clear sign of the importance of this dialogue for our industry.

At the heart of the discussion were transparency and traceability in aquafeed raw materials, the international certifications that guarantee responsible fishing and sustainable production.

The importance of fishmeal and fish oil as key marine ingredients in the nutrition of farmed fish was thoroughly addressed during the workshop. In his presentation, IRIDA’s president Mr. Papaioannou, highlighted that 73% of the quantities used in Greek fish feeds come from trimmings — the by-products of fish processing. Combined with the reuse of other resources, such as poultry by-products, this means that 50–55% of Greek aquafeeds are made from recycled raw materials, making them a true example of the Circular Economy in action.

At the same time, the remaining 27% of marine ingredients used in Greek aquaculture represents only about 1% of global production and comes exclusively from certified sustainable sources such as pelagic fisheries. As Dr. Brett Glencross underlined, these fisheries are among the best examples worldwide of sustainable fishing and lifecycle management.

Furthermore, drawing on data from the HAPO study and current feed formulations, Mr. Papaioannou explained that the wild fish FIFO (Fish In : Fish Out) for Greek aquaculture is 0.69 kg of wild fish per 1 kg of seabream and seabass. This ratio is well within sustainable limits and is expected to decrease even further as alternative raw materials are increasingly adopted.

Moreover, Mr. Papaioannou emphasized the extensive controls applied to Greek fish feeds at every stage of the production chain. This includes a rigorous supplier selection process, strict quality checks of raw materials upon arrival at feed factories, and continuous testing of the feeds themselves — not only within feed plants, but also at aquaculture farms and during export procedures.

An in-depth analysis of the nutritional value of Greek seabream and seabass was also presented, confirming their exceptional profile: rich in protein, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and naturally low in fat. Thanks to these qualities, Greek aquaculture products are now exported to more than 40 countries worldwide. They undergo extensive inspections by international health authorities and meet the stringent requirements of major retailers, being available 52 weeks a year on supermarket shelves — a clear proof of their consistency, safety, and premium quality.

In her presentation, Libby Woodhatch, Executive Chair of MarinTrust, highlighted the critical role of responsible sourcing, traceability, and certification in marine ingredients. She explained how the MarinTrust Programme ensures sustainability across the value chain, from fisheries to aquafeeds, through independent third-party standards. With over 500 approved by-product sources, MarinTrust sets the benchmark for transparency and ethical production. This credibility enables aquaculture to deliver nutritious, safe, and responsibly sourced fish to consumers worldwide.

Dave Martin, Deputy Director of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, emphasized the importance of greater transparency across the sector. Dr. Brett Glencross, Technical Director of IFFO/MarinTrust, presented international data showing that aquaculture is not driving overfishing. On the contrary, while aquaculture production has been steadily increasing, the volumes of fishmeal and fish oil derived from wild fisheries have remained stable.

An extensive Q&A session followed, where the audience set various questions.

Mr. Eduardo Goycoolea, IFFO Vice-President, in his motivational speech reminded everyone IFFO started back in 2001 in Greece, and he is happy to see this progress in Mediterranean aquaculture, urging everyone to continue working in the sustainability path, no matter how hard it is, no matter the obstacles. Certifications are in the right way, so that independent organizations can validate our work is going in the right direction.

Following a question from the audience, Mr. Dan Lee, Technical & Projects Co-ordinator, Global Seafood Alliance, provided tangible examples of how producers, government and NGOs can all work together in goodwill towards a common, achievable goal.

As a closing statement, Mr. Francisco Aldón, CEO of MarinTrust, who directed the workshop stressed that “markets and consumers now demand proof: clear sourcing policies, certification, and traceability.”
The message is clear: responsibly sourced raw materials and certified practices are not just about compliance. They are about protecting our sector, building trust with consumers, and securing a sustainable future for aquaculture.