Antibiotics in aquaculture

Many of our Seafood Watch program’s red ratings for popular farmed seafood items such as shrimp and salmon are driven—at least in part—by concerns over the use of antibiotics to control disease. To improve the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture around the world, we partner with the seafood industry and others to promote responsible antibiotic use in aquaculture.

Highlights from this work

Driving solutions through partnerships

Strong partnerships and collaboration play a significant role in the long-term impact of our work. Industry partnerships are critical to program success. In 2019, we partnered with the Chilean salmon farming industry to launch the Chilean Salmon Antibiotic Reduction Program (CSARP), which aims to reduce the use of antibiotics in Chilean farmed salmon by 50 percent by 2025. In 2024, to recognize the companies that are leading progress toward that goal, we introduced CSARP+ along with our partners.

We are also partnering Nestle Purina and the Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research in Chile to support the research and development of a carrying capacity model for antibiotic use in salmon aquaculture. This research will inform guidelines for the lowest and most infrequent possible application of antibiotics that will still ensure healthy stock production.

Harnessing the power of convening

To advance our work, we convene a wide range of stakeholders and partners able to address both the environmental and social challenges at hand. A critical part of this convening effort is creating space for the various stakeholders to share information.

In November 2024, we co-sponsored the first ever Scientific Congress on Antibiotic Use in Aquaculture in Puerto Varas, Chile. Researchers, scientists, industry leaders, and other experts came together to explore pathways for promoting responsible antibiotic use and developing innovative alternatives to antibiotic use. Ideas from the Congress—including an increase in funding, more research, changes in policies and regulations, and industry initiatives—will inform a multidisciplinary roadmap for engaging policymakers, industry, and others to advance a more sustainable approach.

In May 2025, we hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Oceans and Fisheries Working Group in Monterey for a discussion on governance issues around aquaculture and antibiotic use. Highlights from this discussion will be featured in a new APEC report.

Building resources and capacity

To encourage collaboration and broad participation from all levels of the supply chain, we collect and share data, information, tools, and other capacity-building resources. Since 2021, we’ve worked with the World Bank to explore issues around antibiotic use in aquaculture through the Antimicrobial Assessment on Global Aquaculture Production Initiative (AGAP). Grounded in the World Health Organization’s One Health approach, which promotes solutions that balance the health of people, animals, and ecosystems, AGAP features an extensive literature review as well as workshops with experts from more than 15 countries.