Worldwide Call on FAO re ‘Sustainable Aquaculture’

Media release – various groups, 7 June 2024

Worldwide Call to Remove Farmed Atlantic Salmon and Other Carnivorous Fish from UN Sustainable List
LOWCo AU Tasmanian-Produced Video Fronts Global Campaign

In a powerful collaboration led by over 160 NGOs, think tanks, and scientists across six continents, a global call is being made to the United Nations to remove farmed Atlantic salmon and other carnivorous fish from the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) list of “sustainable” aquaculture. This announcement aligns with World Ocean Day, June 8, underscoring the critical need to address the environmental impacts of these farming practices.

Central to this global campaign is a compelling video produced by Tasmanian-based LOWCo AU, helmed by filmmaker Mike Sampey and Producer Kirsten Bacon. Commissioned by the US-based Rauch Foundation, the short, impactful video highlights the environmental harm associated with open-net fish farming. It serves as a key element of the campaign, aiming to educate and galvanize global audiences against the industry’s destructive practices.

In conjunction with the video release, the campaign has issued an open letter and petition to the FAO’s head of Fisheries, advocating for the reevaluation of the FAO’s sustainability criteria. The letter cites growing evidence of the widespread ecological damage caused by the industry and raises concerns that the FAO’s sustainability guidelines may be unduly influenced by industry pressures.

Peter George, president of NOFF (No Open-Net Fish Farming), a signatory of the petition, stated: “The fight to halt the destructive practices of open-net fish farming is now a strong, global movement. The damaging effects of the Atlantic salmon industry seen here in Tasmania are mirrored around the world, debunking the myth of its sustainability.”

The 1-minute and 12-second campaign video from LOWCo AU is a clarion call for action: “Let’s tell our world leaders to stop this destructive industry.”

Sampey and Bacon’s previous work includes a 36-minute documentary filmed on the Greek island of Poros, highlighting the local community’s battle against the expansion of multinational fish farms. This film premiered at the international Seas of Change Summit in Athens in April.

Additional Resources

• Open Letter to the FAO: Download PDF (see below)
• Full International Media Release and Background Information: Download Document
• Petition to the FAO: Sign Here