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Global fish oil supplies are facing unprecedented pressure as production tracks toward its lowest level in ten years, driven by major disruptions to Peru's anchovy fishing seasons. The situation has raised critical questions regarding the future of omega-3 supply chains and highlighted the urgent need for source diversification and responsible ocean management.
The early termination of Peru's first fishing season and the cancellation of the second, triggered by El Niño-related environmental shifts, has severely strained global markets. Peru, the world's preeminent fish oil producer, suspended the first season in June to safeguard biomass and formally concluded it in August with only 20 percent of the quota landed. On October 16, the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) confirmed that no second season would open in the north-central zone this year.
Peru’s National Fisheries Society (SNP) has warned that industrial anchovy operations could remain frozen for over a year, potentially lasting until 2027. Market analysts suggest these constraints will likely pull global fish oil production down to a decadal low, with immediate consequences for the aquaculture sector, which utilizes approximately 73 percent of global fish oil output.
Leif Kjetil Skjæveland, Director of Sustainability and Public Affairs at Skretting, a dominant player in aquaculture feed, noted that availability has superseded cost as the primary industry concern. He stated that while prices have reached record heights, the fundamental challenge is the physical inability to secure sufficient volumes. Aker BioMarine, a global leader in marine biotechnology, argues that this vulnerability underscores the necessity of broadening omega-3 sources beyond traditional fish oil to include alternatives like Antarctic krill and algae.
Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine, emphasized that food security is inherently linked to reliable access to essential nutrients. He advocated for a diversified supply chain that invests in innovation and responsible marine resource management. Supporting this, marine biologist Nina Jensen highlighted that Antarctic krill can bridge the nutritional gap, provided harvesting is guided by the science-based precautionary limits set by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). As traditional production remains exposed to climate-driven disruptions, the industry is increasingly looking toward a mix of responsibly managed fisheries and biotechnology-driven alternatives to ensure long-term health and nutrition security.
Source: The National Law Review