Giving a lecture entitled Food supply in a changing world at the Dundee Science Festival (Thursday 3 November) which coincides with the UN estimating that the world's seven billionth person was born this week, Professor Phil Thomas will highlight some of the many challenges to feeding the worlds growing population.
Professor Thomas said: With increasing constraints on our natural resources and the impact of climate change, the world faces major challenges in feeding a growing population."
Our food supply must increase, but it must be done sustainably. As population increases there is a requirement for more food and more meat and fish, especially."
For fish, global consumption is continuing to increase. Our sea-caught fisheries will be conservation-managed to seek to maintain, as near as possible, present levels of catch."
Farming species such as salmon will continue to provide a larger proportion of total fish production."
One of the major reasons for this is because fish, as exemplified by salmon, are extremely efficient convertors of feed. On average, farmed salmon use 80% less fish protein and fish oil than would be eaten by salmon growing in the wild. Sustainable fish farming is fundamental to the future way of securing high quality seafood supply.
Dr Jon Urch, Public Outreach Coordinator, University of Dundee, said: With the UN estimating that the world's seven billionth person was born this week, the lecture is a timely reminder of the food types required to meet our needs, the currently available supplies and the impact of climate change on global food security.
'Fish Farming Has Important Role' Says SSPO
SCOTLAND, UK - Feeding a growing world population is a serious challenge and fish farming will play an increasingly important role, according to the Chairman of Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO).
