Salmon farmers are producing 14.8 billion meals a year worldwide and employing 121,000 people in coastal communities, according to a new industry report.

Land and freshwater resources are shrinking and "land farming alone cannot feed the world", the International Salmon Farmers' Association (ISFA) says in a report published at the Seafood Expo North America trade show in Boston.

Salmon farms occupy 262sq km of sea, representing .00008 per cent of the world’s oceans, the study says, and total production is valued at $10 billion annually.

Extinction

Ireland’s Clare Island sea farm in Co Mayo is one of the case studies highlighted in the report. It says the venture, which employs 11 islanders among its 25 staff, “stopped the slow extinction of island life” at the mouth of Clew Bay.

Aquaculture provided more than 50 per cent of all fish and seafood now consumed globally, the report says, and it predicts “natural fisheries” would reach “full depletion” by the year 2056.

It describes farmed salmon as “feed conversion champions”, with one kilo of feed producing one kilo of fish, compared with 10 kilo of feed for one kilo of beef. It also highlights its health benefits, as a source of omega 3.

Economic driver

"Since our industry began about 40 years ago, farmed salmon has become a staple of healthy, nutritious and affordable diets around the world, and our industry has become an economic driver and social mainstay of rural communities across the globe," ISFA president Trond Davidsen said. "Salmon farming is one of the most efficient protein producers in the world," he added.

Irish Salmon Growers' Association chief executive Richie Flynn said Ireland had been a "leader since the early days of sea farming", in spite of small production.

Marine Harvest Ireland recently secured an Aquaculture Stewardship Council salmon standard for a site at Deenish Island in Ballinskelligs bay, Co Kerry.