The only way to meet surging global demand for fish is to increase the use of responsible aquaculture, Young's has claimed.

The fish manufacturer has formulated a new strategy document outlining why it believes aquaculture is the only realistic method of meeting the future needs of the world's consumers.

Young's made the move on the back of UN predictions that aquaculture would overtake wild fish as the largest method of global fish production within the next decade. Currently 33% of parent company Foodvest's UK supply comes from farmed sources, including salmon from Scotland and Norway, warm water prawns from Colombia and basa from Vietnam.

Environmental organisations such as Greenpeace have cast doubt over the sustainability of fish farming and accused the aquaculture industry of damaging habitats and lacking regulation.

Young's has responded by claiming rogue fishing can be eradicated through good practice and pointing to a "strong core" of responsible aquaculture operators across the world who are playing a positive role in driving industry-wide improvement.

"We felt it was important to emphasise our positive approach to aquaculture at a time when the global food industry is facing some major challenges and fish is under particular pressure," said Mike Parker, deputy chief executive of Foodvest.

"Fish is a healthy and natural source of protein - the only way for it to remain readily available to everyone is through the increased use of responsible aquaculture."

The rising cost of oil is threatening to curtail wild fishing, making the development of aquaculture even more important, added Parker, while demand for global fish supplies is expected to reach unprecedented levels as Chinese and Russian consumers become wealthier and eat more seafood.

Fish farming currently represents 45% of global fish supply, with the aquaculture industry valued at about £41bn.

It is the world's fastest-growing food production industry, having grown

9% a year since 1970.

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