Tilapia is Brazil’s most widely farmed fish, while rainbow trout is the most common aquaculture species in Germany, according to the UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO).
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A new policy report jointly released by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC) is urging Germany and Brazil to take stronger action in developing sustainable and circular aquaculture systems.
With aquaculture now accounting for more than half the seafood produced for human consumption worldwide, and despite favourable environmental conditions for fish farming in both countries, the multi-authored report, Advancing sustainability and circularity in aquaculture to build a resilient global food system, states that Germany and Brazil are "lagging behind" in domestic aquaculture production.
Meanwhile, fish consumption in both nations is well below the global average of 20.5 kg per capita, with Brazil at around 10 kg and Germany at 14 kg. However, in Germany, only about 2% of finfish consumed is locally produced, the authors point out.
“This report aims to outline a path for making aquaculture, especially freshwater aquaculture, a resilient, future-proof and increasingly circular mode of production,” the authors write. “Despite many differences, Brazil and Germany share great potential for growth in the freshwater aquaculture sector.”
The authors, a group of early-career scientists from Brazil and Europe, warn that both countries face similar obstacles: climate change impacts, high production costs, limited public acceptance, labour shortages, and fragmented regulatory environments.
Expanding sustainable aquaculture, they argue, will require coordinated political support, strategic policy changes, and public awareness of the environmental and nutritional advantages of aquaculture compared to other animal-based food systems.
To address these challenges, the report outlines three priority action areas.
First, it calls for simplified regulatory procedures and better coordination of responsibilities, including the appointment of dedicated aquaculture officers within government agencies.
Secondly, it stresses the need for improved vocational and academic training to attract skilled professionals to the field.
Finally, it urges stronger efforts to "translate" research into practice by developing local technology packages suited to regional conditions, fish species, and waste management requirements.
The recommendations are the outcome of a workshop on Sustainable Aquaculture – Environmental Impacts and Food Security, held at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in Berlin during 2023. Organised by Leopoldina and ABC, the event brought together emerging scientists to promote international collaboration and develop science-based strategies for aquaculture reform in both countries.
About Leopoldina
As Germany’s National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina provides independent, interdisciplinary advice on socially relevant issues. Founded in 1652 and designated the national academy in 2008, it represents German science in international policy forums, including the G7 and G20 summits. Leopoldina currently includes more than 1,600 members from over 30 countries and covers nearly all research disciplines.
