Government investigators discovered in 2020 that United Marine Products in Goa, India, drilled illegal bore holes behind its factory to dispose of toxic wastewater from fish meal processing, contaminating local groundwater and sickening villagers and livestock.
Global Fish Meal Supply Traced to India and Peru
The reporting tracked how protein-rich powder made from pulverizing and cooking wild-caught fish feeds carnivorous aquaculture species like salmon and trout. Canadian consumers purchase these farmed fish despite overseas environmental and social tolls. The investigation identified other hidden costs, including chronic chemical exposure, avoidable worker deaths, the loss of artisanal fishing jobs, and violent protests caused by the stench of factories. In Mauritania and Gambia, the industry drives food insecurity by diverting fish that sustained local communities into export fish meal factories. Peru, the world’s largest producer of fish meal, faces pollution and overfishing concerns. And that kind of accounting offers a very different picture than the industry offers,
Pauly said.
Skretting opens investigation into United Marine Products supply chain
The product may also feed trout from Quebec. Jorge Diaz, sustainability and communications director for Skretting, stated that the company maintains a zero-tolerance policy for breaches of supplier laws and opened an investigation to verify the reporting.
Industry representatives defend fish farm feed practices
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, more than half of the world’s seafood consumption came from fish farms rather than wild catches. Véronique Jamin stated that small pelagic fish are fast-renewing stocks with higher sustainable harvest thresholds than slow-growing species like cod or tuna. Timothy Kennedy, president of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, announced that members reduced fish meal and fish oil proportions in salmon feed to less than 20 percent. However, data from the Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return Initiative shows that five of the world’s largest salmon companies increased absolute use of fish meal and fish oil from whole wild fish by up to 39 percent between 2020 and 2024 to meet expanding industry demand. Two of those companies have Canadian operations: Grieg Seafood, whose farms were acquired by Cermaq, and Mowi, which announced in June 2025 it was selling its Canadian farms to Cooke.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fish meal does Canada import from overseas?
Canada has more than 200 fish farms. While domestic fish meal is typically made from byproducts like bones and skin, the country relies on global supplies for its carnivorous species.
What proportion of global aquaculture feed consists of fish meal?
The share of fish meal in global aquaculture feed dropped from 23 percent in 2000 to eight percent by 2020, according to data from the IFFO cited in the reporting.
Which retail stores in Canada sell products tied to the investigated supply chains?
Metro spokesperson Stephanie Bonk stated that all suppliers must follow a Supplier Code of Conduct for responsible procurement. Loblaws, AZ Gems, and the IFC did not respond to requests for comment.
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