The report, called Out of the Net, into the Future, highlights how smartly formulated, plant-based fish alternatives can meet both the nutritional expectations of consumers and reduce the pressure on marine ecosystems to bring about a more ethical and sustainable food system.
Overfishing
Damage caused by overfishing has left the oceans in a precarious state. Nearly 40% of global fish stocks are currently overfished and another 50% harvested to their limit by trawlers raking the oceans to meet the global demand for seafood. To safeguard food security and meet both nutritional and culinary needs, there is a need to diversify protein sources.
A growing number of plant-based fish products - from fish sticks, burgers, filets, canned tuna, smoked salmon, shrimp, and calamari - are now on sale in supermarkets around the world and can be part of a sustainable and healthy diet.
Out of the Net, into the Future
The ProVeg report analysed each product’s nutritional profile, paying special attention to key nutrients that motivate consumers to choose fish, such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, iodine, and vitamin B12. The researchers also analysed the levels of saturated fat and salt – two nutrients that should be limited for better health – as well as fibre, which is beneficial for digestion and found naturally only in plant-based foods.
Valentina Gallani, health and nutrition manager at ProVeg, said: “We have found that there are already some great plant-based fish products on the supermarket shelves to satisfy the demands of people who love to eat fish.
“Most of these alternatives are low in saturated fat and are a good source of protein. They also contain fibre, which animal-based fish products do not. So they are a viable alternative that is both nutritious and does not add to the destruction of sea life. However, we would like to see more inclusion of Omega-3, such as algae oil, and more consistent fortification of essential micronutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, and iodine.”
Plant-based fish appeals to consumers
A 2023 survey has already indicated that there is a strong market base for plant-based seafood, with 42% of European consumers saying they find it appealing and 43% saying they would consider purchasing it. Governmental action to support the ocean ecosystem is also growing, as the UN Ocean Summit in June demonstrated.
The new ProVeg report makes a number of recommendations to producers, retailers and authorities on how to boost the existing market, develop equally nutritious alternatives and integrate these products further into consumer diets.
Where producers are concerned, the report recommends they make plant-based alternatives that effectively substitute animal-based fish products in terms of nutritional value. Retailers are recommended to place plant-based products in high-traffic areas or close to their animal-based counterparts in supermarkets and to price them competitively with animal-based products.
Governments are called upon to set clear nutritional guidelines for plant-based fish alternatives in order to improve product quality, help consumers make informed choices, and guide producers in developing healthier products.
Fish farms are not the answer
Whilst some people look to aquaculture or fish farming to reduce the pressure on the oceans, the report makes clear that this is hampered by major environmental and ethical concerns.
Fish farming can harm local biodiversity, water quality, and animal welfare. The farms are linked to the destruction of critical coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs – all of which are vital for carbon storage, coastline protection, and biodiversity. Between 2000 and 2020, aquaculture was responsible for nearly 27% of global mangrove loss.
Waste from fish farming – including uneaten feed and fish faeces – can lead to water pollution and harmful algal blooms. The use of antibiotics and chemicals in these systems raises concerns for both environmental health and the rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, which may pose risks to human health.
Gallani added: “Aquaculture has only introduced more and different problems for us to tackle. We would urge societies to focus rather on building up the quality and accessibility of plant-based fish so that individuals can increasingly help to restore the oceans and enjoy healthy food at the same time.”
Conclusion
In general, plant-rich diets should prioritise whole foods, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. However, transitioning from an animal-centred diet to a plant-centric one can be made easier by the availability of plant-based alternative products that have a similar taste and texture to their animal-based counterparts.