Advancing sustainability and circularity in aquaculture to build a resilient global food system (2025)

Today, more than half of all the fish, mussels, crustaceans, and algae consumed worldwide come from aquaculture – and the numbers are rising. Freshwater aquaculture, in particular, is considered a highly promising way to produce animal protein in a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly way. It has the potential to make a significant contribution to global food security while reducing the pressure on wild ecosystems.The joint Policy Report by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (Academia Brasileira de Ciências, ABC) explores what sustainable and circular aquaculture could look like in practice in both Germany and Brazil. The report also offers concrete recommendations for policy-makers, administrative authorities, and researchers.