Fish farms continue to use too many resources to become a sustainable industry, a senior scientist with Environmental Defense told a U.S. science conference. Rebecca Goldburg, of the New York City environmental organization, told the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Seattle that fish farming is more efficient than it was in 1997 when about 4.2 pounds of wild fish were needed to produce every 2.2 pounds of farmed fish. The report was published on the Nature Science Update Web site. It said more recent data from 2001 shows only about 3 pounds of wild fish were now needed for every 2.2 pounds of farmed fish. Part of the increased efficiency has come from more carnivorous fish being put on vegetable protein-based diets. The booming aquaculture industry, however, also has taken its toll on other fish, such as sardines and herring, which are fed to larger fish in farms, Goldburg said. The total catch going toward fish food, the report said, continues to grow. A new policy by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could make the situation worse, she added. The NOAA is promoting offshore farming of species, such as red snapper and cod, in cages several miles offshore. Goldburg said because the fish are carnivores, they will need to be fed more fish, which could reverse the trend in efficiency. Source: United Press International, 2/04 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.