When we visualize the future of food, we need to ask four key questions: How can we produce enough? Is it healthy? Is it sustainable? How will producers be affected by a changing climate? The food sector is under pressure to keep up with increased demand, all while producing more with limited resources and facing the unknowns of the environments in which they operate. Therefore, it’s critical for society to be constantly looking for ways to produce climate-resilient food with the highest nutritional value and the lowest environmental footprint.

Aquaculture is one of the most eco-efficient ways of producing protein, and salmon farming is leading the way in aquaculture innovation – offering one possible solution to support global goals for health, food and climate as well as continuing to support healthy and thriving oceans.

However, to reach this vision of providing healthy protein at less environmental cost – change is needed at speed and scale.

GSI’s change model

GSI’s change model and our members’ innovative efforts ensure that farmed salmon is raised to be better for people and planet. Together, GSI members unite expertise and resources to address shared sustainability challenges – sourcing feed ingredients, monitoring and mitigating disease risks, and the impacts of climate change– and catalyze best-practices to strengthen the sector’s resiliency for the future.

We have established three pillars that will guide our work: climate action, respect for nature and contributions to sustainable food systems.

Climate Action

Carbon footprint

Addressing climate change and delivering measurable progress towards global climate goals requires significant action, and we know we cannot do this alone. GSI member companies commit to measure and report Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for their product footprint against an aligned ‘action index’ developed to demonstrate progress towards the 1.5^oC target outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as essential to curtail rising temperatures.

This GSI ‘action index’ is designed to support knowledge sharing on effective mitigation efforts so as a sector we can accelerate reductions in GHG emissions. The index is complementary to other company focused climate efforts, including climate targets set through the Science Based Targets Initiative.

Resiliency

A changing climate poses significant risk to the food sector, including aquaculture, which is already seeing the impacts of warming oceans. This is part of why we are committed to improving our understanding of the risks posed by a changing climate, assessing adaptation approaches, and above all working together to improve the sector’s resiliency for the future grounded in science.

Respect for Nature

Fish health and welfare

Salmon farming is one of the most technically advanced aquaculture sectors, and we use this expertise to stay at the forefront of health and welfare practices. Our members are committed to continuous improvements in fish welfare to ensure the highest possible standards. This includes utilizing a holistic approach to fish health management via medicinal and non-medicinal approaches, utilizing technical advancements in how we monitor and protect fish welfare, and working with certifications to ensure best practices.

Biodiversity

As fish farmers, we recognize the importance of all species and ensuring future biodiversity in our oceans and on land. Which is why we are committed to supporting biodiversity protection, regeneration, and nature-positive actions across our supply chains. Working with our partners to improve knowledge of our supply chains and continually assessing for alternative approaches, whether that’s improving the efficiency of forage fish conversion ratios or making the commitment to only use deforestation-free soy in feed. As we look to build knowledge across our supply chains, we can make informed choices on how we can reduce our impact on nature and support a more resilient planet.

Contributions to Sustainable Food Systems

Social responsibility

GSI members are committed to supporting the development of communities through the provision of healthy food, as well as supporting local those in the areas where we operate. Because salmon farms are often located in remote communities, it becomes even more crucial that our operations provide a positive contribution. This commitment goes beyond our regional borders and extends to supporting wider aquaculture development in high-need areas to meet global needs for nutritious, climate-resilient food.

Within GSI, we’ve witnessed the benefits of empowering diverse backgrounds and expertise, which is why our members are committed to supporting gender equality initiatives. The salmon sector strives to unite people and celebrate diverse perspectives to build a stronger, more resilient industry.

Health and nutrition benefits

Responsibly farmed salmon is a nutrient-rich food that supports healthy and sustainable diets. Globally, many dietary guidelines recognize the importance of sustainably sourced seafood in helping to meet nutritional needs, but greater reach and consistency is needed, particularly in recognizing ASC-certified seafood.^{1 2 3 4}

Salmon is nutrient-dense, contributing protein and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, which support vision, brain and heart health.^{5 6} Farmed salmon has a lower carbon footprint, freshwater consumption, and feed conversion ratio than many other protein options,⁷ making it an important eco-efficient protein source for a growing global population.

Within GSI, we use collaboration to motivate ambitious sustainability goals and provide the framework to deliver measurable progress, to ensure our members are farming salmon that’s raised to be better for people and planet.