Research report on ’s trash Greenpeace East- 2017

Definition:

Trash fish: in this study, trash fish refers to those leftovers on the port, which are usually mixture of poorly preserved, small sized and low commercial valued of and . Not directly consumed by , trash fish are mainly used as feeds (mainly as fish feeds and also as feeds for other types of ). Trash fish normally contains groups of species as following:

● Commercial species: comparatively high in commercial value, with larger production volume o Edible commercial species : fish and species that could be consumed directly by if they were allowed to grow larger to mature or beyond mature body sizes o Non-edible commercial species: species that would not be consumed directly by humans even if they did grow to meet mature standard. Instead they are of value for processing into , and other non-food products ● Non-commercial species: low in commercial value, no scalable production volume In this research we mainly analyzed the fish samples based on the categorization above.

Each fish individual can be divided into either mature or immature (=juvenile) stages : ● Juvenile fish: individuals which have not yet attained sexual maturation ● Adult fish: individuals with reproductive capability

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Preface

The 21st Century has brought with it a major challenge for mankind; one that has yet to be met. For the first time in our history we have entered a crisis of supply. Our growing human populations and burgeoning demand for nutritious and plentiful seafood has exceeded what wild nature can supply in perpetuity. While we now recognize and acknowledge the challenge, we have yet to tackle it. Two simple and closely related questions must be answered. The first is how do we get more food from our seas, when many of the fishes and invertebrates we like to eat are already being overfished (i.e. they are being removed too rapidly than their reproductive rates can compensate for); the second question is how do we produce more fish, by farming, when as currently practiced, farming adds even more pressure to our fisheries and marine ?

The solution is simple, but achieving it is not because to do so we need to be far wiser and take much better control of our fisheries, regarding both what we take from the sea and how we take it. When considering activity, we need to fish less to achieve maximum sustainable yield. For this we must reduce fishing ‘effort’, the numbers of people, boats, and gears doing the fishing, down to levels that allow fish and shellfish to grow and reproduce at rates that maximize their production. The challenge faced by is actually not much different but is particularly important to tackle because there are many people who believe that not only will fish (and shellfish) farming solve our seafood supply problems as wild populations decline but, importantly, by doing so will also solve . Nothing could be further than the truth when we consider how we currently operate farming operations.

Most of the more economically valued, and hence attractive to farm, marine species are fish eaters, particularly carnivorous fishes or invertebrates like . These species need to eat wild fish, lots of wild fish, and so although farming adds to our seafood supply, it actually increases pressure on wild fish populations. For example, to produce one kg of a commonly cultured carnivore needs between 3 and 15 kg of fish feed, or so-called ‘trash’ (because they once had not economic value but now are sold for feed) IN CHINESE YOU COULD SUBSTITUTE THE WORD ‘ SHATZAYU’ FOR TRASH FISH fish. These ‘feed’ fish taken from the wild include the juveniles and food of commercially important food fish for humans. We need to be seriously considering whether, given global overfishing, we should be allowing these ‘fish-feed fish’ to grow and affordably feed many people, rather than provide fish feed for relatively few expensive fish.

How best to develop fish farming’s role as a contribution to food security and how best to use ‘feed’ or ‘trash’ fish and invertebrates can only be determined by better understanding the volumes involved and the possible implications for the future health of marine ecosystems. Given China’s major importance globally, both as a seafood consumer and as a seafood farming nation, the question is extremely important and relevant. This Greenpeace study, which is one of very few that I know of globally, and the first of its kind in China, provides extremely important insights into the volumes, sizes and types of fishes and invertebrates being used for fish farming (both marine and freshwater species) in China today. The results of the study are clear; current fishing practices for feed fish are not biologically sustainable and it is only sustainable fisheries that can potentially bring more benefits, food and income, to

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Chinese people into the long term. Too many immature fish of too many species are being taken too quickly than can be sustained at present. Something clearly has to change if China is not to lose more of its self-sufficiency for seafood and depend ever more heavily on the rest of the world for imports.

Looking to the future and a genuine and ‘eco-civilized’ approach to seafood production, whether from wild populations or through farming requires, knowledge, planning and an attitude of responsibility. As a major fishing nation globally, it matters very much to the rest of the world what China does. We are at a time in history when there is a wonderful opportunity for the country, with its deep fish farming history and massive fishing capacity, to set a good example and to lead the way. If China can find how to make fish farming more sustainable by perhaps focusing on less fish-hungry species or using science to develop alternatives to wild fish feed, then much progress can be made. With the status quo it will sink deeper into seafood debt. Which future path will China take? That is the challenge.

Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson Professor, Swire Institute of Marine Science University of IUCN & Wrasses Specialist Group Director, Science & Conservation of Fish Aggregations

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Main findings

1． Fishing for trash fish has a broad impact on the state of resources of commercial fish, jeopardizing commercial fish in juvenile stages.

Findings from 80 samples showed that fishing for trash fish brings greater pressure to China’s already over-exploited coastal fishing resources, jeopardizing many juvenile commercial fish. This is of serious concern in regards to the sustainability of such species since a large proportion of individuals are caught before they have been able to mature and replenish their populations for future sustainability.

● Edible commercial species accounted for 38.61% of all fish in the 80 samples, 75% of which were in their juvenile size range.

● 218 different species of fish were identified, 96 of which were edible commercial fish. This indicates that current fishing activities of trash fish have broadly impacted the resources of multiple species of edible commercial fish.

● 44 species were found to have existing stock assessments, 40 of which are categorised as over-exploited and 4 of which are categorised as fully exploited or seeing declining numbers. This shows that trash fish are in dire need of a management infrastructure for sustainable exploitation.

● 10 of the species found in samples are used in China’s marine stock enhancement project, many of which were juvenile, indicating that the national stock enhancement efforts are being impacted by the fishing of trash fish.

2. Nearly half of the total catch by China’s domestic trawlers is trash fish 1

Through 5 months of field investigations, between August and December 2016, Greenpeace discovered that trash fish account for about 49% of all trawler catch.2 That equals about 3 million tons per year, equivalent to the entire annual catch of ’s . Quantities of trash fish caught by the whole of China’s domestic fishing fleet over the same period are equal to at least 30% of all catch, or at least 4 million tons..

3. China’s industry relies on 7.17 million tons domestic marine resources annually.3

1 For detailed content see part 1.2 of the report. 2 is the most common fishing practice in China, contributing to nearly half of China’s marine catch and reaching more than 6 million tons in annual catch. 3 For detailed content see part 1.4 of the report.

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The report’s research on aquaculture shows that, 76% of China’s aquaculture species require trash fish as feed. In 2014, aquaculture demands at least 7.17million tons of China domestic marine fishery resources. The amount of fish feed China’s marine fisheries provide for the domestic aquaculture industry is larger than the entire annual catch of the world’s second largest fishing power, .

Another 5.09 million tons was imported mainly as fishmeal or was derived from unclear sources.

Aquaculture consumption of trash fish is mainly manifest in direct feeding and production of artificial compound feed (with inputs of fishmeal and fish oil)4.

Regarding fishmeal and fish oil, in 2014, China’s aquaculture has consumed 2.51 million tons fish meal in total equal to 7.32 million tons marine fish resources. Of the overall 2.51 million tons fishmeal, at least 0.76 million tons originate from China’s domestic fisheries (equals to 2.22 million tons marine fish resources). At least 1.04 million tons originate from outside China’s waters (equals to 3.03 million tons). The remaining 0.71 million tons are of unclear sources.

Regarding direct feeding of trash fish, Greenpeace East Asia estimates that in 2014, approximately 4.95 million tons of trash fish were used in direct feeding , deriving mainly from marine caught trash fish. 66% of the 4.95 million tons (3.24 million tons) has been consumed by marine aquaculture, 1.71 million tons (34%) by freshwater aquaculture. However, information and statistics on the volume, species composition, and origins are often incomplete.

4 Direct investment for feeding is the act of using fresh fish or frozen fresh fish (whole, cut into pieces, beaten into batter) to feed aquaculture fish or /. Fodder is comprised of fish meal and fish oil, both of which are derived from juvenile/trash fish.

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Introduction

As the biggest fishing power of the world, China’s fishing production accounts for 16%5 of global total volume, providing over 2 million jobs in the industry6. China is also blessed with its extreme richness in marine biodiversity, 1/7 of total identified marine creatures have been found in its coastal waters. However, marine resources have been under tremendous pressure since fishing production exceeded maximum sustainable yield in 1990s, and pressure continues to grow7.

Years of overfishing have not only resulted in the decrease of quantity as well as quality of marine resources, but also endangered the marine and its biodiversity. Since the 1970s, the major coastal fishing grounds have been fished down to very low levels and, important commercial species have undergone declines resulting in structural changes of the entire food chain, and destabilization of the marine ecosystem.

In the meanwhile, fishing patterns have changed for many domestic fishing fleets. Instead of catching high valued, commercial species, now they just aim to catch anything left in the sea. Trash fish (as defined above), as a result, have become their fishing targets. Previous studies have discussed and concluded that trash fish fisheries produce huge amounts and contains highly diversified species8,9,10,11. While huge amounts of trash fish are being been caught and fisheries production and income increase in the short term as a result, the future potential value and biological sustainability of many edible commercial fish and invertebrate species are being seriously compromised, as well as the long-term economic benefits.

China’s fishery management has been trying to adapt various measures to better combat overfishing, and restore marine resources, yet the effects have been far from sufficient. One of the main reasons lays in neglecting to consider that, although the total volume of catches remain relatively stable, the catch

5 FAO. 2017. Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics. Global capture production 1950-2015 (FishstatJ). In: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department [online]. Rome. Updated 2017. www.fao.org/fishery/statistics/software/fishstatj/en 6 Lu Xiaoqiang, Hu Feilong, Xu Haigen, et, al. Status quo, problems and countermeasures of marine biodiversity in China. World Environment , Editorial E-mail ,2016(S1) 7 The official data for China’s marine total allowance catch is 8 to 9 million tonne. (http://www.scio.gov.cn/xwfbh/gbwxwfbh/xwfbh/nyb/Document/1540973/1540973.htm）. However, according to China Fisheries Statistic Year Book, China’s marine capture production exceed this limit and kept growing since 1994. 8 Funge-Smith, S., Lindebo, E. & Staples, D. 2005. Asian fisheries today: the production and use of low value/trash fish from marine fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region. Bangkok, FAO.2005. 9 APFIC Regional Workshop on Low value and "trash fish" in the Asia-Pacific Region, FAO.2005. ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/ae935e/ae935e00.pdf 10 ZHANG Qiuhua，CHENG Jiahua，XU Hanxiang，et al. The fish-eries resources and its sustainable use in [M] ．Shanghai: Fudan University publication, 2007, page 544-545. 11 XIA Yi-lu;CHEN Qiong;ZHAO Rong-lei, et al. Comparative Analysis of Species Composition of Low Value/Trash Fish Caught by Single Otter Trawl in Zhoushan Fishing Ground before and after the Closed Fishing Aeason. Journal of Zhejiang University(Natural Science) , 2015(06)

6 composition is significantly changing. Comprehensive study specializing on the trash fish issue is lacking12,13. Without addressing the problems caused by trash fish fishery, syndromes of overfishing cannot be addressed and the marine ecosystem and fishery will undergo further deterioration.

As an effort to contribute towards finding the cure, Greenpeace visited 22 major fishing ports in 8 coastal fishing provinces, and conducted field study on the overall volumes, species combination and utilization of trash fish during August to December, 2016. The main results are presented in details in this report, as well as recommendations for management measures to address the issue.

12 Cao L, Naylor R, Henriksson P, Leadbitter D, Metian M, Troell M et al. (2015) China’s aquaculture and the world’s . Science 347: 133–135. 13 China’s aquaculture sector can tip the balance in world fish supplies. http://media.uow.edu.au/releases/UOW186158.html

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Chapter 1 - Trash fish fishing and utilizing conditions

Considering the lack of statistical data on trash fish production, this study adopts both desktop research and field trips, combined with modelling to produce estimates of the volumes, species combination and utilization of trash fish in China.

1.1 Methodology 1) Capture fisheries for trash fish Desktop research on relevant studies was conducted to collect general ideas on conditions and issues related to the trash fish fishery. Overall, there has not been many research recorded the historical change of the trash fish problem, or researched the trash fish problem from a national level. Zhang Qiuhua’s book record that from 1950s to 2000s, in East China Sea, the traditional commercial fish has decreased a lot, the fishing catch increase are mainly from perlagic fish and “various small fish”14. In 2001, APFIC’s research shows that low value/trash fish accounted for 38% of the total catch from trawlers15. In 2004, another research by APFIC sampled at three Chinese fishing ports. The survey defined “trash fish” as fish for non-food use, and defined “low value fish” as fish for human consumption. The survey revealed that large quantity trash fish and low value fish are taken by trawl and sail stow net gears. The proportion of trash fish is highest in trawl catches for December to May when it constituted over 50 percent of the catch. Between 32 percent and 50 percent of trash fish are juveniles of commercially important fish species.16Yang Lin did a series of research on the bycatch in South China Sea17 18 19, and pointed out that in between 1990 to 1997, in Southern China Sea, the bycatch rate is 60% to 70% and trawlers are with the highest bycatch rate. Various Chinese published papers also pointed out the problem of catching juvenile commercial fish and high bycatch rate by trawlers and set nets20.

14 - ZHANG Qiuhua，CHENG Jiahua，XU Hanxiang，et al. The fish-eries resources and its sustainable use in East China Sea[M] ．Shanghai: Fudan University publication, 2007 15 S. Funge-Smith, E. Lindebo, D. Staples, “Asian fisheries today: The production and use of low value/trash fish from marine fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region” (Asia-Pacific Fishery Commission, FAO, Rome, 2005). 16 APFIC Regional Workshop on Low value and "trash fish" in the Asia-Pacific Region ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/ae935e/ae935e00.pdf 17 Yang Lin, Fishing gear and fishing methods impacts to the marine fisheries resources and marine environment. Modern fisheries information, 1998.2. 18 Yang Lin, Current fishing status in South China Sea and suggestions. Journal of Zhanjiang Ocean University, 2001.1 19 Yang Lin, Bycatch in the South China Sea and its utilization. Journal of Zhanjiang Ocean University, 1999.3 20 夏一璐，陈琼，赵荣磊，张玲，王迎宾：《伏休前后舟山渔场单拖船低值杂鱼渔获物组成比较分析》，《浙江海洋学院学报》（自然科学版），第34卷，第6期，2015年11月， 第525页。 俞连福 我国海洋捕捞副渔获物现状、问题和对策 齐广瑞，《海州湾近岸张网的渔获结构及对渔业资源的影响》，中国海洋大学硕士论文 张旭 春季黄河口海域2种网具渔获物组成的比较分析 沈公铭 山东沿海坛子网鱼虾分离装置的选择性研究

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Field trips were arranged during August to December of 2016, covering the main fishing season of the year21. Eight fishing provinces were selected as field sampling areas in this study – , , Zhejiang, , , , Guangxi, Hainan, together contributing to over 97% of domestic landings volumes. From these areas, 22 major fishing ports were selected to represent fishing conditions of their province22. Questionnaires and sampling were both conducted targeting domestic fishing fleets. Detailed information on selected ports are listed in Appendix X A questionnaire survey was conducted using stratified random sampling to interview 1088 fishermen, covering ship owners, captains and senior crew members. The results were used to provide information on the percentage of trash fish in total catch volumes. To understand species composition, random sampling of trash fish catches was conducted 2-3 times in each province for a total of 80 sample packages across all 22 ports, with 1-3 kg weight each for a total weight of 64.4kg (after removing the broken bodies). Species identification was conducted by a professional fishery identification lab at Xiamen University, during which numbers, length of fish were recorded and analyzed. Based on the results of species identification, data analyses were conducted.

陈卫平 浙江帆式张网渔业现状的分析与研究 杨炳忠, 杨吝，谭永光，张鹏，晏磊，《湛江近海虾拖网副渔获组成分析与评价》，Marine Sciences, Vol.38, No.1, 2014 张旭丰 广东硇洲岛周围水域虾拖网副渔获组成分析 郑颖，戴小杰，朱江峰：《长江河口定置张网渔获物组成及其多样性分析》，《安徽农业科学》，第37卷20期，2009年，9511-9513页。 张壮丽，王茜《闽南海区张网作业渔获物组成分析》，《海洋渔业》，第27卷第2期，2005年5月。 赵静，章守宇，周曦杰，陈清满，《浙江嵊泗枸杞岛岩礁生境两种刺网采样网具的比较》，《水产学报》，第 37 卷第 2 期2013 年 2 月 高慧良，黄六一，李龙，任一平，徐宾铎，唐衍力，刘长东，程晖，《黄河口海域春季和夏季须子网渔获物组成分析》，《渔业现代化》，第43卷第2期，2016年4月。 唐衍力，齐广瑞，王欣，田方，万荣，《海州湾近岸张网渔获物种类组成和资源利用现状分析》，《中国海洋大学学报》，第４４卷第７期，2014年7月 刘尊雷，汤建华，林龙山，程家骅，刘培廷，仲霞铭，《江苏沿岸定置张网主要渔获组成以及对经济鱼类幼体的损害分析》，《海洋渔业》，第31卷第1期，2009年02月 严利平,刘尊雷,李圣法,凌建忠,李建生,李志国，《东海区拖网新伏季休渔渔业生态和资源增殖效果的分析》，《海洋渔业》，第32卷第2期，2010年5月 张 龙，徐汉祥，王甲刚，郭海成，《舟山沿岸定置张网作业休渔前后鱼类组成分析》，浙江海洋学院学报(自然科学版)，第30卷第1期，2011年1月。 张 龙，徐汉祥，王甲刚，郭海成，《舟山沿岸定置张网作业休渔前后鱼类组成分析》，浙江海洋学院学报(自然科学版)，第30卷第1期，2011年1月。 王语同，刘勇，《闽南渔场桁杆虾拖网作业渔获种类组成》，《福 建 水 产》，第33卷第4期，2011年10月 李超，《青岛斋堂岛海域双桩竖杆张网网囊网目选择性研究》，中国海洋大学硕士学位论文，2015年6月3日 陈鸿兰，《琼州海峡海域张网渔获组成及其对渔业资源的影响》，广东海洋大学，2015年6月 21 According to data from China Fisheries Statistic Year Book and the official news report on fisheries of first half of the year, in the past three years (2014 to 2016), the catch of the first half of the year accounts for about 35% of the year round catch. 22 The site selection mainly based on production, and considered other elements such as transportation condition, location, etc. The fishing ports were selected from the province’s top fishing cities/counties.

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2) Utilization of trash fish by aquaculture Desktop research was first conducted to identify the extent and nature of use of trash fish in aquaculture feeds as well as the total production of China’s aquaculture (freshwater and marine fish and invertebrate sectorsThis allowed us to calculate the feed needs to supply that aquaculture production. Three species- (Eriocheir sinensis), Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys croceus), Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides), were selected as representing aquaculture sectors that are particularly large in volume, and also require high levels of fish/invertebrate feeds input. Field studies were conducted to aquaculture farms in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian. The field study results were compared with the literature review results. The total input of marine resources into aquaculture industry was concluded based on literature review and field study, and later used to deduce the amount of trash fish going to aquaculture side yearly.

1.2 Capture conditions of trash fish Results from questionnaire: the percentage of trash fish in total catch Out of 926 collected questionnaires, 704 came from producers (ship owners, captain, crew members), 222 from supporting functions (chairmen of fishery committee, buyer, seafood company employee). With reference to China’s statistical data, the fishing gears were categorized into 6 types including trawlers, set net, purse seiner, gill nets, hooks and lines, and “others”. The categorization was done based on relevant publications23,24,25. Trawlers, set net, and purse seiner were initially identified as main fishing gears in the trash fish fisheries due to their poor selectiveness. 1) Percentage of trash fish in total fish catch - 49% of the total catch by trawlers (by weight) is trash fish Trawlers were identified as the major fishing gear targeting trash fish, it is also the major fishing , contributing to over 50% of total China’s domestic marine capture. Weighted average of the data collected in 8 provinces was conducted, using the contribution rate of trawlers production as weight. Weight coefficient = (trawlers production of given province/ total trawlers production of 8 provinces) (based on the 2015 fisheries statistical data) The result showed that 49.32% of total catch by trawlers are trash fish. (below shows the calculation:

Average 2015 catch by percentage of trash trawlers (from Weight Province Types of trawlers interviewed fish (%, from China coefficient questionnaire) Fisheries Stat

23 Sun Zhongzhi, General Introduction of the Fishing Gears in and Yellow Sea. Maritime Press. Beijing. 2014. 24 Fishery Administration Bureau of East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture. Marine Fishing Gears and Their Management in East China Sea. Zhejiang Science and Technology Press. Hangzhou. 2012. 25 Aquatic Research Institute of Hainan Province. Maine Fishing Gears in Hainan Province. Maritime Press. Beijing. 2013.

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Year Book) Bottom trawler (single), pelagic trawler (dual), shrimp trawl, etc. Liaoning 66 450072 0.07 Bottom trawler (single), pelagic trawler (dual), shrimp trawl, etc. Shandong 60 1389331 0.23 Bottom trawler (single), shrimp trawl, etc. Jiangsu 32 74543 0.01 Bottom trawler (single), pelagic trawler (single, dual), shrimp trawl, etc. Zhejiang 48 2039172 0.33 Fujian 34 770590 0.13 Bottom trawler (single), pelagic trawler (single) Guangxi 31 762357 0.13 Bottom trawler (single), pelagic trawler (single) Guangdong 60 425367 0.07 Bottom trawler (single), Hainan 65 181900 0.03 Bottom trawler (single), pelagic trawler (single) Weighted average: Sum: 6093332 49.32

Box-plots of the percentage of trash fish in the trawlers Horizontal, from left to right: Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan Vertical: trash fish percentage in the total catch of trawlers

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Distribution of the trash fish percentage among trawlers Legend on the right-side, from top to bottom: Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan Vertical: number of questionnaire; Horizontal: trash fish percentage

- 30.45% of the total catch (by weight) by all types of vessels is trash fish With reference to above measure, weighted averages were also calculated for other types of fishing practices (set net is calculated based on the questionnaire results from Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Shandong, Jiangsu, the weighted average is 48.74%; purse seiner net is calculated based on the questionnaire results from Hainan, Zhejiang and Fujian, the weighted average is 16.23%;), gill net and hooks and lines were assumed to have relatively low or zero trash fish catches due to their high level of selectiveness. Results show that the overall percentage of trash fish in total production is 30.45%. Weight coefficient = (production of given gear/ total production all gears) (also based on the 2015 fisheries statistical data)

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It is important to highlight the conservativeness of this estimation, real statistics could be higher, considering 1) when estimating this ratio, gill net, hooks and lines, and “other” types of fishing gears were assumed to have zero percent of trash fish catches due to their high level of selectiveness. But in reality, these gears also produce trash fish catches; 2) In reality there might be more trawlers than gill nets, because switching of fishing gears without permit happens; 3) The research period is in autumn and winter (from August to December), when the ratio of trash fish is relatively low. The trash fish ratio is usually higher in spring. Below shows the calculation: 2015 catch (from China Fisheries Percentage of trash fish (%, from Gear Stat Year Book) questionnaire results or assume as 0%) Weight coefficient Trawler 6208928 49.32（from this research） 0.47224 Purse Seiner 1036603 16.23（from this research） 0.078842 Set net 1585462 48.74（from this research） 0.120588 0（conservative assumption Gill net 2950556 ） 0.224414 Hooks and 0（conservative assumption lines 401546 ） 0.030541 0（conservative assumption Others 964716 ） 0.073375 Sum:13147811 Weighted average: 30.45

- Some fishing vessels are targeting trash fish Questionnaire results from seven provinces show that they all have fishing fleets targeting trash fish in practices, with trash fish accounted for more than 70% of their total catch. .

Table 1 Questionnaire results Provi Nets No. of Average % of trash fish (as defined in Standard deviations nce questionna the definition part) ires Liaoni Trawler 46 66 0.37 ng Gill net 3 8 —— Set nets(near shore) 5 22 0.38

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Transport (from various types of vessels) 2 93 —— Shan Trawler 93 60 0.26 dong Gill net 12 34 0.23 Set net(near shore) 15 54 0.30 Jiangs Trawler 31 32 0.31 u Gill net 7 26 0.15 Set net（movable stow net） 83 30 0.23 Transport ship (mainly from trawler, 4 18 —— movable stow net) Zhejia Trawler 93 48 0.24 ng Gill net 7 27 0.16 Set net 2 30 —— Purse seiner 12 46 0.20 Transport ship (from various types of 6 59 0.09 vessels) Fujian Trawler 86 34 0.23 Purse seiner 36 2 0.02 Gill net 4 2 —— Set net 25 63 0.13 Guan Trawler 73 31 0.14 gdon Purse seiner 2 38 —— g Gill net 9 4 0.01 Set net 11 59 0.05 Guan Trawler 76 60 0.10 gxi Purse seiner (light) 21 27 0.21 Transport ship (mainly from trawler, purse 8 55 0.11 seiner) Haina Trawler 71 65 0.13 n Purse seiner (light) 23 28 0.13 Transport ship (mainly from trawler, purse 7 69 0.13 seiner) *Data from 53 questionnaires of untypical fishing practices were not included in the above results

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2) Results from species identification 80 samples of trash fish were collected from 22 ports. Identification was focused on fish species, those fish that could not be identified to species level were listed to . (Appendix III). 218 fish species were identified from the samples, including 3 species from Chondrichthyes (2 orders 2 families) and 215 from (19 orders 84 families). 47 species and several species were identified from the samples. The following analysis was mainly based on fish species.

- Commercial species and juvenile percentages Out of the 218 identified fish species, 114 were commercial species- 96 edible commercial species and 48 nonedible commercial species. Further analysis showed that edible commercial species account for 38.61% of the total sample, among which the majority were juveniles (74.99%).

Table 2 Numbers of individuals sampled from identified fish species （based on data of sampled fish able to identify to species） Category No. Percentage by number Edible 3480 38.61% Commercial 8141 90.33% Fish Nonedible 4661 51.71% Noncommercial 872 9.67% Total 9013 100%

Table 3 The percentage of juvenile fish in the sample （Based on data of sampled fish which could be identified to species, with measurable size and mature standards to compare with） Category No. (Juvenile/all) Percentage by number Edible 2396/3195 74.99% Commercial 4067/7460 54.52% Fish Nonedible 1671/4265 39.17% Noncommercial 165/587 28.11% Total 4232/8047 52.59%

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- Resource condition of species Out of 218 identified species, 44 species were found to have existing stock assessments in publicized reports, books or papers, among which 40 are known to have declined or been depleted; the other 4 were listed as fully developed, or starting to decline. When compared to the IUCN list Red List of Threatened Species, we found 155 are listed as NE, only 62 have records- 1 as EN (Evynnis cardinalis), 1 as VU (Nemipterus virgatus), 9 as DD, and 51 as LC. 10 species in the samples were species being used in China’s stock enhancement projects26. Those species include Gazami crab ( trituberculatus), Bastard halibut (Paralichthys olivaceus), So-iuy mullet (Liza haematocheila), Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli), Blackhead seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii), Yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus), Mi-iuy (brown) croaker (Miichthys miiuy), Large Yellow Croaker(Larimichthys crocea), Japanese seabass(Lateolabrax japonicus) and (sepiella maindroni).

English Name Scientific Name Stock Location of the sample Enhancement Project area* Shandong (YS, 201608) Jiangsu (YS, 201610) Fujian (ECS, 201610) Jiangsu (YS, 201611) Shandong (YS, 201612) Gazami crab BH, YS, ECS Zhejiang (ECS, 201610) Paralichthys olivaceus Paralichthys olivaceus BH, YS, ECS Zhejiang (ECS,201611) Jiangsu (YS,201610) Jiangsu (YS,201611) So-iuy mullet Liza haematocheila BH, YS Shandong (YS,201612) Shandong (YS, 201609) Shandong (YS, 201610) Shandong (YS, 201611) Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli BH, YS Shandong (YS, 201612) Blackhead Seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii BH, YS, ECS, SCS Shandong (YS, 201611)

26 Because the new Aquatic Stock Enhancement Project Plan has not been publicly issued, in this research, we compared the findings with plan given in The Overall Plan of the National Aquatic Stock Enhancement Project (2011-2015). http://www.moa.gov.cn/govpublic/YYJ/201012/t20101219_1793509.htm

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Shandong (YS, 201612) Yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus ECS, SCS Hainan (SCS, 201609) Mi-iuy (brown) Zhejiang (ECS, 201608) croaker Miichthys miiuy ECS Zhejiang (ECS, 201609) Large Yellow Croaker Larimichthys crocea YS, ECS, SCS Zhejiang (ECS, 201608) Zhejiang (ECS,201608) Zhejiang (ECS,201610) Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus ECS, SCS Zhejiang (ECS,201612) sepiella maindroni ECS Fujian (ECS, 201612) *BH=Bohai, YS=Yellow Sea, ECS=East China Sea, SCS=South China Sea

Sharks and rays were also identified from the samples. The field investigation also record many (Scoliodon macrorhynchos) and dogfish sharks (角鲨).

1.3 Utilization of trash fish Major utilization of trash fish are found to be used as feeds, including direct feed to aquaculture or processed to produce fishmeal and fish oil. Results from the questionnaires show that over 85% of interviewees said their trash fish catches go to aquatic farming and fishmeal production rather than directly for human consumption. The aquatic feeds industry has also developed connections across the country to buy, preserve and process trash fish. For example, trash fish caught in Zhejiang could both supply to fish farmers in Fujian, and mink markers in Shandong. Price-wise, according to the questionnaire results, current prices of trash fish vary from 1-4 RMB per kg, with the average price 1-2.4 per kg. The price difference is mainly from the quality of the trash fish, the type of utilization, and seasons. Trash fish used for direct feed are usually higher than for producing fishmeal, because quality of the trash fish used for direct feed are usually better. For example, fish with relative better quality in Guangdong are selected out and used for food processing, so trash fish in the research site of Guangdong are really poor and the price is low. While in Fujian’s research sites, trash fish with similar quality as the fish used for food processing are used for feed, so the price is relatively higher. Market also affects the trash fish price. The trash fish type in Shandong and Liaoning are similar, but the average price in Liaoning are higher than Shandong. The potential reason could be the fishmeal plants in Shandong had experienced very strict air quality control. The fishmeal plants had to stop working from time to time in 2016. The main raw material of fish meal, , decays easily, and can’t store for a long time. So anchovy encounter poor sales. Therefore the average price of anchovy could be lower than the other provinces or the other years.

Table 4 Results of the utilization of trash fish –

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Province Direct feeds to Fishmeal Others（human Range of Average aquaculture% production% consumption or Price price uncertain）% (CNY/kg) (CNY/kg) Liaoning 33 67 0 0.9-3.8 2.16 Shandong 37 56 7 0.5-4.0 1.30 Jiangsu 59 29 12 0.8-3.0 1.13 Zhejiang 99 1 1.0-3.0 2.13 Fujian 41 47 13 1.0-4.0 1.78 Guangdong 35 35 31 0.7-1.3 0.85 Guangxi 50 49 1 0.8-2.0 1.39 Hainan 59 23 21 1.0-4.0 1.75 *The questionnaires fromZhejiang could not give clear answer on whether the trash fish was used as direct feed or fishmeal production, but surely was used as feed (directly or indirectly).

Table 5 Characteristics of main trash fish utilization Utilization Characteristics ● 76% of domestic aquaculture species require trash fish as feed。 Aquacu ● For a detailed explanation of aquaculture and its use of trash fish please lture refer to section 1.4 Direct ● Mink farming and fox farming in Shandong and Liaoning also use trash fish feeds Other as feeds types ● Chicken farming and pig farming in fish producing areas sometimes also use trash fish as feeds ● Shandong and Zhejiang are the two largest provinces in fishmeal production ● In Shandong and Liaoning, the fish meal production mainly uses anchovy. In Zhejiang, mainly use anchovy, benthosema pterotumin and Japanese jack Fishmeal, mackerel. Fish oil In southern provinces, trash fish that can be used as direct feeds would be selected first when the catches are landed, then the poorer-condition animals part go into the fishmeal production process, fish oil mostly comes

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as a by products in the process of fishmeal.

1.4 Consumption of trash fish by the aquaculture sector Through literature review and field research, Greenpeace also studied the consumption of marine resources by China’s aquaculture industry, and came to the conclusion that it is highly possible that the amount far exceeds what previous studies have indicated, and shall probably keep growing.

1) Overall use of fish feed to supply China’s aquaculture sector Feeds come as two major forms in aquaculture: artificial compound feeds with inputs of fishmeal and fish oil, and direct feeding with trash fish. Calculation shows that in 2014, China’s aquaculture sector has consumed 12.26 million ton marine resources in total, most of them are from the trash fish defined in this research. In 2014, China’s aquaculture has consumed 2.51 million ton fish meal (equals to 7.32 million ton marine fish resources). The real fish meal supply data is not clear. China official data shows that in 2014 China produced 0.76 mmt fishmeal27 and imported 1.04 mmt fishmeal28. FAO’s latest data shows that in 2013, China produced 0.605 mmt and imported 0.98 mmt fishmeal. In 2011, the first China Fishmeal Conference reported that fishmeal produced from Shandong, Jiangsu, Fujian and Zhejiang already exceeded 100 mmt29. In addition, Fishmeal smuggling also happens30. Considering China’s official data is the newest, and relatively reliable, in this research we use China official data to estimate the domestic produced and imported fishmeal. Therefore, in the overall 2.51 mmt fishmeal consumed by aquaculture, at least 0.76 mmts come from domestic China, at least 1.04 mmts come from abroad, and the rest 0.71 mmt unclear of originality. In other words, 0.76 mmt to 1.47 mmt (equals 2.22mmt to 4.29mmt marine fish resources) may come from China, 1.04mmt to 1.75mmt(equals 3.03mmt to 5.10mmt marine fish resources) may come from abroad31. In 2014, China’s aquaculture has consumed 4.95 million tons trash fish for direct feeding. 324 million tons (66%) has been consumed by marine aquaculture, 171 million tons (34%) by fresh water aquaculture. Many trash fish feed in fresh water aquaculture are not from fresh water source, but from the sea. So the 4.95 million tons fish used for direct feeding are mostly from marine trash fish. We will use “trash fish used as direct feed” to refer the 495mmt fish used as direct feed hereinafter, for convenience narration. Based on the discussion above, in the 12.26mmt marine fisheries resources consumed by China’s aquaculture, 7.17mmt to 9.24mmt (58% to 75%) are from China, mostly from the marine trash fish. The other 3.03mmt to 5.10 mmt (25% to 42%) are imported in the form of fishmeal.

2) Species composition in the aquaculture sector by feed type

27 Fisheries Statistics Year Book 28 China Customs data 29 Chen, L., Chen, N., Huang, X., 2014. China’s Aquatic Feed Industry and World Fishmeal Market (in Chinese). Fish. Sci. Technol. Inf. 41, 209–215. 30 Sun, Q., 2016. Qingdao border seized smuggler with a large number of frozen fish and fish meal on the spot. Qingdao Dly. 31 Trash fish used to produce fish meal = fish meal usage*75%/24%. 75% is the percentage of fish used to produce fish meal, the other 25% is leftovers from plants. 24% is the efficiency of using fish to produce fishmeal.

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There are 63 species (or group of species) in China’s aquaculture. Of these 63 species, 20 require direct feeding sourced from wild fisheries, 36 require artificial compound feeds, 1 requires grown forage fish (feed fish is raised by the fish farmer, not from wild), and only 14 require no feeding. In conclusion, 48 (76%, by number of species or group of species) require trash fish as feed.

Figure 1 Feeding type of main aquaculture species in 2014

Table 6 Composition of feeding type of main aquaculture species in 2014 Feeding type Species (or species group) Italics for Latin names. (below are the English names) self-feeding species Cupped oysters nei, Blood cockle, Sea nei, Pen shells nei, (including water plants) nei, Japanese carpet shell, Constricted tagelus, , Sea urchins nei, Clearhead icefish, Swan , Sea snails, Asian clam, Spirulina nei Mainly rely on natural feeds, artificial nei, Japanese , Jellyfishes nei, Silver , compound feeds as supplement , Red swamp crawfish Mainly reply on artificial compound feeds, (=White amur), , [Carassius spp], ,

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natural feeds as supplement Wuchang bream, Black carp, , Pond loach, Oriental river Total rely on artificial compound feeds , Giant tiger prawn, Yellow catfish, Channel catfish, Japanese , Pirapatinga, Other fishes, Giant river prawn, Whiteleg shrimp, , Frogs, River and lake turtles nei Mainly rely on artificial compound feeds, Fleshy prawn, Sea bass (marine), Flounder, Porgies, seabreams nei, trash fish direct feeding as supplement Righteye flounders nei, Snubnose pompano, Snakehead, Asian swamp eel, Chinese mitten crab Mainly rely on trash fish direct feeding, Sea snails, Kuruma prawn, Portunus swimmingcrabs nei, IndoPacific artificial compound feeds as supplement swamp crab, Large yellow croaker, Cobia, Amberjacks nei, Red drum, Tiger pufferfish, Groupers nei, Other fishes, Sea bass (freshwater) Total rely on grown forage fish Mandarin fish Source: Tang et al., (2016)

3) Temporal trends by feeding type of aquacultured species Since the 1980s, although non-feeding species (filter feeders and herbivorous) still account for the majority of annual aquaculture production, fed species demonstrate a higher growing rate, with the potential to dominant in aquaculture sector in the future. In terms of total annual production, filter feeders declined from over 50% (by weight) in the 1980s to 34% in 2014, whereas omnivorous species increases from 4% to 24% and carnivorous species by 1.5% to 7.8% over the same time period.

Such changes on the one hand, reflects the increase in levels of intensification of aqua-farming practices, and on the other highlight the growing need for feeds to supply those species that need to be fed in culture conditions (mainly carnivorous and omnivorous species)

Figure 2 Change in aquaculture production of species by feeding type Source: Report on the Usage of Marine Fisheries Resources by Aquaculture

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Figure 3 Change of composition of species in the aquaculture by feeding type Source: Report on the Usage of Marine Fisheries Resources by Aquaculture

Taking using trash fish for direct feed as an example, although the proportion of using trash fish as direct feed kept decreasing, the overall usage of trash fish for direct feed is growing (Fig. 4, Fig. 5). Artificial compound feeds has developed and accepted by more and more aquaculture farmers because of its low price, low , and low labor force input. However, the overall aquaculture production, and cultured species which relied on trash fish direct feed has increased rapidly. At last, the trash fish used as direct feed kept growing.

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Figure 4 Proportion of direct feed trash fish of the major aquaculture species Legend: blue=marine ; red=marine fish; green=fresh water fish; purple=fresh water crab Data Source: Report on the Usage of Marine Fisheries Resources by Aquaculture

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Figure 5 Trash fish usage as direct feed Legend: blue=marine fish, dark red=marine crustaceans, green=marine shell fish, purple=other marine invertebrates, light blue=fresh water fishes, orange=fresh water crustaceans, dark blue=fresh water shell fish, dark brown=other fresh water invertebrates. Data Source: Report on the Usage of Marine Fisheries Resources by Aquaculture

4) Efficiency of feeding Efficiency of feeding is normally reflected by fish in fish out ratio (FIFO). Greenpeace proposes that to attain sustainable aquaculture, FIFO shall be contained to within 1, implying the amount of protein inputted is not higher than outputted; this requires either better feed development to reduce fish input to feed or change of cultured species that do not require high proportions of fish feed.. Although the overall FIFO of China’s aquaculture is relatively low – 0.368, main carnivorous species, also the one showing fastest growing rate in production, still process overly high FIFO. Rachycentron canadum and yellow croakers are two typical examples, with FIFO set at 6.5 and 5.35 respectively. Also many high value species have high FIFI from groupers to shrimps as well. Marine aquaculture fishes consumed most of the trash fish direct feed, those species include cobia, amberjacks nei, large yellow croaker, red drum, groupers nei, porgies, seabreams nei, their FIFO are all higher than 4. While the white leg shrimp (marine and fresh water), Largemouth black bass (fresh water), Chinese mitten

24 crab (fresh water) are with lower FIFO than the marine cultured fish, but because of their large aquaculture production, their overall fish resource consumption are on the top 3. In sum, feeding efficiency for main feeding species still has a lot of potential to improve.

Table 7 List of species consuming over 0.1 mmt marine resources yearly with FIFO > 1 Data source: Research on the usage of marine fisheries resources by China’s aquaculture industry Water Categor English name Scientific name Fishmeal Trash fish Marine FIFO y Italicicized for usage (ton) usage (ton) fisheries Latin names used as direct resources feed usage (ton) Seawater Fish Rachycentron 2068.07 156320.20 162352.05 6.50 Cobia canadum Seawater Fish Amberjacks nei Seriola spp 1217.08 69477.11 73026.92 5.40 Seawater Fish Large yellow Larimichthys 12912.75 442488.69 480150.88 5.35 croaker croceus Seawater Fish Sciaenops 10100.45 200755.13 230214.76 4.69 Red drum ocellatus Seawater Fish Epinephelus 6396.69 268622.53 287279.53 4.64 Groupers nei spp Seawater Fish Porgies, 14576.75 124373.98 166889.51 4.01 seabreams nei Sparidae Seawater Fish Other fishes 76593.22 927292.09 1150688.98 3.98 Seawater Fish Tiger pufferfish 2108.06 38173.52 44322.03 3.48 Freshwater Fish Largemouth black Micropterus 55782.12 662860.93 825558.78 3.34 bass salmoides Seawater Fish Flounder(鲆鱼) 26827.49 134410.52 212657.36 2.40 Freshwater Fish Anguilla 115308.74 0.00 336317.15 2.19 Japanese eel japonica Seawater Fish Righteye 2901.56 5866.38 14329.26 2.12 flounders nei Pleuronectidae

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Freshwater Other Chinese softshell Trionyx 163644.51 0.00 477296.50 1.99 turtle sinensis Seawater Crustac IndoPacific 4251.36 170939.33 183339.12 1.86 eans swamp crab Seawater Shellfis 1264.71 295680.96 299369.69 1.83 h Sea snails Rapana spp Seawater Fish Largemouth Micropterus 39248.67 30634.93 145110.23 1.82 black bass salmoides Freshwater Crustac Chinese mitten Eriocheir 156315.61 504405.30 960325.83 1.72 eans crab sinensis Seawater Crustac Portunus 3051.43 129956.56 138856.56 1.66 eans swimcrabs nei Seawater Fish Snubnose Trachinotus 34135.44 25717.67 125279.36 1.62 pompano blochii Seawater Crustac 25077.21 66420.51 139562.38 1.55 eans Other crustaceans Freshwater Fish Monopterus 77284.40 159854.05 385266.88 1.53 Asian swamp eel albus Freshwater Fish Snakehead Channa argus 105444.75 218443.60 525990.77 1.47 Freshwater Fish Other fishes #N/A 269382.91 160363.51 946063.65 1.33 Seawater Crustac 5334.84 26115.42 41675.36 1.25 eans Kuruma prawn japonicus Seawater Crustac Penaeus 20823.10 0.00 60734.06 1.16 eans Giant tiger prawn monodon Seawater Crustac Penaeus 11073.84 6624.86 38923.57 1.15 eans Fleshy prawn chinensis Freshwater Fish Pelteobagrus 91397.45 0.00 266575.90 1.14 Yellow catfish fulvidraco Freshwater Crustac Macrobrachiu 33183.54 0.00 96785.33 1.08 eans Giant river prawn m rosenbergii

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Freshwater Other Frogs Rana spp 22879.87 0.00 66732.94 1.02 Freshwater Crustac Penaeus 160289.95 0.00 467512.36 0.95 eans Whiteleg shrimp vannamei Seawater Crustac Penaeus 186265.89 0.00 543275.51 0.88 eans Whiteleg shrimp vannamei Freshwater Fish Cat fish(鲇鱼) 92301.76 0.00 269213.46 0.85 Freshwater Crustac Oriental river Macrobrachiu 50864.23 0.00 148354.01 0.82 eans prawn m nipponense Freshwater Fish Misgurnus 38901.89 0.00 113463.84 0.47 anguillicaudatu Pond loach s Freshwater Fish Mylopharyngo 38458.66 0.00 112171.08 0.29 Black carp don piceus Freshwater Fish Tilapia 93142.68 0.00 271666.14 0.23 Seawater Shellfis 1384.65 124930.10 128968.68 0.21 h molluscs nei Freshwater Fish Carassius 137102.46 0.00 399882.19 0.21 [Carassius spp] carassius Freshwater Fish Common carp Cyprinus carpio 134615.73 0.00 392629.20 0.18 Freshwater Fish Grass 72061.45 0.00 210179.23 1.06 carp(=White Ctenopharyngo amur) don idellus Total 2395975.97 4950727.88 11938991.04 Source: Report on the Usage of Marine Fisheries Resources by Aquaculture

Chapter 2 Influence and implications of trash fish fishery

2.1 Creating huge burden for marine ecosystem and biodiversity

● Fishery targeting trash fish has further damaged coastal marine ecosystem, which has already been fragile due to years of severe overfishing, resulting

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in depletion of succeeding important commercial species; trash fish fishery is speeding up this horrible trend

● Juvenile individuals of important commercial species have been largely exploited as collateral damage, further threatening future existence of such resources

● Fishing down the food chain has threatened its basis, where low trophic level fishes such as Anchovy, sand lance, , have been largely caught in trash fish fishery, creating huge gap in energy transitioning

● Destabilized marine ecosystem might perform poorer when it comes to dealing with climate change and other natural catastrophes

● If status quo continues fisheries will collapse completely since trash fish are juveniles of commercial fish and also feed of commercial fish (in wild)

2.2 Resulting in lost economic opportunities

● Shall the juvenile individuals of edible commercial fish grow to mature standards, their prices could increase from times to multiple times. Example as follows:

Table 8 Price comparisons (2016)

Average market prices as Average price as Potential for Species edible commercial fish trash fish（RMB/ added value (RMB/kg)32 kg） Eel 110.00 27-110 times Silver pomfret 96.00 24-96 times Small Yellow Croaker 48.33 1～4 12-48 times Hairtail 26.55 6-26 times Japanese Spanish mackerel 27.60 6-27 times

32 Price data was compiled from www.zgsc123.com, using the average price on 15th of September, 15th October, 15th of November and 15th December.

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Pacific rudderfish 23.57 5-23 times Japanese scad 9.54 2-9 times Golden bream 26.64 6-26 times

● Shall nonedible forage species fulfil their duties in the food chain and feed species in higher trophic level, wild caught grown commercial species could sell a lot more33

2.3 Hindering structural adjustment of the fishery industry

● Continuous demand for feeds from the aquaculture side has encouraged the prosperity of trash fish fishery, making it increasingly difficult to cut fishing capacity, or for asking fishermen to transfer job

● The competitive selling price for trash fish further rationalize fishing practices targeting trash fish, providing incentives for illegal fishing with prohibited fishing nets, or disobeying regulations on minimum catchable sizes.

2.4 Challenging the adaption of scientific fishery management

● Current trash fish catches haven’t been recorded properly. Considering its diversity in species and high composition of juvenile individuals, without filling this gap in basic data collection, fishery management won’t have a sound enough basis.

● The annual consumption of marine resources by aquaculture almost equals to total marine catches. Not only it implies that current catches have severely exceeded maximum sustainable yield (8-9 million ton), but also points to the urgency of better protection of trash fish resources

33 Pikitch, E. K., Rountos, K. J., Essington, T. E., Santora, C., Pauly, D., Watson, R., Sumaila, U. R., Boersma, P. D., Boyd, I. L., Conover, D. O., Cury, P., Heppell, S. S., Houde, E. D., Mangel, M., Plagányi, É., Sainsbury, K., Steneck, R. S., Geers, T. M., Gownaris, N. and Munch, S. B. (2014), The global contribution of forage fish to marine fisheries and ecosystems. Fish and Fisheries, 15: 43–64. doi: 10.1111/faf.12004

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● Trash fish is an indivisible part in fishery management and all relevant measure, such as control of fishing gears, improve logging system and conduct better resources evaluation, which shall by all means be taken into consideration more seriously

Chapter 3 Policy recommendation

1) At the fishing end: Regarding reducing the total catch of trash fish as a key point in enhancing the management of fishing resources.

● Record the amount of trash fish caught and include these statistics as part of the basic fisheries statistics. ● Research on the feasibility of adopting quota system in the fishery targeting trash fish should be conducted, based on the principle of precaution and the ecosystem-based management.34 ● With the aim of protecting under-size commercial food fish, the set-up and implementation of regulations in terms of minimum mesh size and catchable size of the important commercial species should be enhanced. ● Safeguard important commercial fish species, by having more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as their breeding grounds to improve survival rates, as well as more permanent MPAs at their baiting and winter migration fields 2) At the aquaculture end: Strengthening the protection of trash fish as an emphasis in promoting the development of sustainable aquaculture

● Establish strict requirements for ecological sustainability of aquaculture industry, take “avoiding over-exertion of wild fishery resources and marine ecosystem” as the premise to explicitly enact sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. ● Further enhance the regulations on aquaculture feeds, standardizing which species, on what ratio could be used as feeds; banning the direct feeding with trash fish ● In consideration of the facts that 1) large numbers of aquacultures have already developed specialized artificial compound feeds and 2) acquired good results in their implementation, yet 3) still many aquaculture farmers retain old concepts of farming and acceptance of artificial compound feeds is lower than

34 The “quota system” corresponds to the “systems of limits” that has been written in “Fishery Law” from 2000, but because of a lack of basic data and the limited capabilities of administrative supervision, it has not been possible to implement. Since the 13th Five Year Plan, the system of limits has been put forward again, with the Ministry of Agriculture requiring Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong to confirm city/county or sea territory to designate catchable breeds and carry out the system of limits for fishing administration, and by 2020, each coastal province must choose at least one relatively developed region from which to carry out the system of limits for fishing administration.

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expectation,· education for aquaculture farmers on the adoption of artificial compound feeds should go hand in hand with the research/development of them

3) In addition, there is an urgent need for an improved system:

● Eliminate loopholes that enable overfishing through unified regional management measures . ● In a new institutional arrangement for the fishing moratorium, combating illegal fishing with trash fish fishery as a breaking point, normalizing the surprise inspections into regular administration ● Enhance enforcement ability of fishery inspection units, leverage advanced technology, ie. electronic logging system, GPS positioning, video recording etc., to conduct stricter monitoring on fishing activity ● Increase traceability throughout whole industry chain from production to distribution, increase information disclosure

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Appendix I. Key questions in the questionnaire: Date: ______Place: ______Interviewer name:______1. Name, vessel and fishing area characteristics: 1) Interviewee name, position (captain, owner, other etc.), hometown, age, contact information. 2) Vessel name, description (horsepower, length) 3) Fishing area (Coastal/Inshore/Offshore) (to confirm the vessel is conducting domestic fishing) 4) Major Fishing method (Trawler (bottom or pelagic, single or double, etc.)? Stow net? Gill net? Purse seiner? Reefer? ) describe as detail as possible. 2. Catch characteristics: 1) What was your fish catch after fishing moratorium till end of 2016?

Weight (kg) Proportion (by weight, %)

Fishes Commercial (edible) fish

“Trash fish”

Cephalopods

Crabs

Shrimps

Other: ______

2) Commercial fish species (edible) -main types?

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3) “Trash fish” species-main types? 4) Where did your “trash fish” catch go? (Fish feed factory? Aquaculture farm? Freezing facility? Discard? Other?) 5) Selling price of trash fish/kg: ______6) The ratio of income from “trash fish” in your overall income?

3. INTERVIEWER NOTES AND IMPRESSIONS. Why do you think the catch has changed compare to before? (fishing capacity increased? management? pollution? reclaiming land from sea? climate change? others?)

-End of questionnaire-

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Appendix II. Stock status ( YS= Yellow Sea; ECS=East China Sea; SCS=South China Sea NSCS=Northern South China Sea; ) Overexploited, resources decline species

Chinese English Latin name Stock status information name name

1 大吻斜齿 (a kind of Scoliodon NSCS: Depleted, over capacity* (Ref 1) 鲨 shark) macrorhynchos (original name in FAO report was “sharks”) ECS: Sharks resource decline (Ref 5, page 306)

2 海鳗 Muraenesox NSCS: depleted, over capacity (Ref 1); pike cinereus YS: Over-exploited (Ref 8, page 31); ECS: catch amount decline, size become small (Ref 3,page 305)

3 鳓 Chinese Ilisha elongata NSCS: depleted+over capacity (Ref 1); herring YS and ECS: over-exploited, resource decline to almost depleted (Ref 3, page 295; Ref 8, page 31; Ref 5, page 305)

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4 康氏侧带 Commerso NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (Ref 1); 小公鱼 n's commersoni (Orginal name in FAO report was “, Stolephorus spp.”) anchovy ECS: overexploited (Ref 9)

5 印度侧带 Indian Stolephorus NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (Ref 1); 小公鱼 anchovy indicus (orginal name in FAO report was “Anchovies, Stolephorus spp.”)

Overexploited (Ref 9)

6 日本鳀 Japanese NWP: fully exploited (2); anchovy japonicus Over-exploited (9);

YS: resource decreasing; ECS: overfished, resource declining (Ref 3, page 165-166; Ref 5, page 278; Ref 7, page 588;)

7 多齿蛇鲻 Greater Saurida tumbil NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (1); lizardfish SCS: overfished, need protection (Ref 3, page 409; Ref 7, page 326)

8 长体蛇鲻 Slender Saurida ECS: overexploited (9) lizardfish elongata

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9 蓝圆鲹 Japanese Decapterus NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (1); scad maruadsi SCS: resource decline (Ref 3, page 404) Overexpolited (9); ECS: resource is fine but need to carefully exploit the immatured fish; SCS: resource declined in the 1980s, measures has been taken, and the resource has been recovered a bit (Ref 7, page 638-650)

1 日本竹荚 Jack Trachurus NSCS: fully exploited+over capacity (1); 0 鱼 mackerel japonicus NWP: fully exploited (2); Fully exploited (9); SCS: resouece decline (Ref 3, page 407) ECS: resource decline (Ref 5, page 256)

1 金线鱼 Threadfin Nemipterus NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (1); 1 bream virgatus

1 二长棘鲷 Threadfin Evynnis NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (1), (Ref 7, page 802); 2 cardinalis

1 大头银姑 Big-head Pennahia NSCS: overexploited+over capacity; 3 鱼 pennah microcephalus (orginal name in FAO report was “Silver croakers, Pennahia spp.”) croaker

1 台湾叫姑 (a kind of Johnius sp. SCS: overexploited (Ref 7, page 859, original wording “Johnius Spp.”) 4 鱼 croaker)

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1 卡氏叫姑 Caroun Johnius carouna SCS: overexploited (Ref 7, page 859, original wording “Johnius Spp.”) 5 鱼 croaker

1 婆罗叫姑 Johnius SCS: overexploited (Ref 7, page 859, original wording “Johnius Spp.”) 6 鱼 Sharpnose borneensis hammer croaker

1 丁氏叫姑 (a kind of Johnius SCS: overexploited (Ref 7, page 859, original wording “Johnius Spp.”) 7 鱼 croaker) distinctus

1 屈氏叫姑 Trewavas Johnius SCS: overexploited (Ref 7, page 859, original wording “Johnius Spp.”) 8 鱼 croaker trewavasae

1 灰鳍叫姑 (a kind of Johnius SCS: overexploited (Ref 7, page 859, original wording “Johnius Spp.”) 9 鱼 croaker) grypotus

2 截尾银姑 Donkey Pennahia anea NSCS: overexploited+over capacity; 0 鱼 croaker (orginal name in FAO report was “Silver croakers, Pennahia spp.”)

2 银姑鱼 Silver Pennahia NSCS: overexploited+over capacity; 1 croaker argentata (orginal name in FAO report was “Silver croakers, Pennahia spp.”) (synonyms of Argyrosomus argentatus)

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2 大黄鱼 Large Larimichthys NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); 2 Yellow crocea ECS: resource decreased seriously (Ref 5, page 286) Croaker

2 小黄鱼 Yellow Larimichthys NWP: fully exploited (2); 3 Croaker polyactis Bohai, YS and ECS: overfished, resource decline (Ref 3, page 75, 182,299; Ref 7: page 701; Ref 5:page 170-183; Ref 8, page 31)

2 鮸鱼 Mi–iuy Miichthys miiuy NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); 4 croaker

2 纵带绯鲤 Deep- Upeneus NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); (Orginal name in FAO report was “Goatfishes Upeneus spp.”) 5 water subvittatus goatfish

2 黄带绯鲤 Sulphur Upeneus NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); (Orginal name in FAO report was “Goatfishes Upeneus spp.”) 6 goatfish sulphureus

2 日本绯鲤 Japanese Upeneus NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); (Orginal name in FAO report was “Goatfishes Upeneus spp.”) 7 goatfish japonicus

2 刀鲚 Japanese nasus Estuary: decreasing (suggested by an expert and Greenpeace crosschecked from published papers, e.g. 8 grenadier Suggestions on Protecting Coilia Nasus at Yangtzw Estuary, by Shi Delong ) anchovy

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2 蓝点马鲛 Japanese Scomberomorus Bohai and YS: fully exploited (Ref 3, page67, 169, Ref 4, page 124-125;); ECS : overfished (Ref 3, page 293; Ref 5, 9 Spanish niphonius page 272) mackerel

3 鲐 Chub Scomber NWP: fully exploited (2); 0 mackerel japonicus fully exploited (9) Need to reduce fishing effort and protect the juveniles (Ref 4, page 166; Ref 7, page 637; Ref 5, page 218)

3 日本带鱼 Largehead Trichiurus NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (Original name in FAO report was “Hairtails, Trichiurus spp.”) 1 hairtail japonicas(synon ymized with NWP: Overexploited Trichiurus lepturus) Bohai, YS and ECS: overfished, resource decline seriously (Ref 3, page 192, 423; Ref 4, page 129: 黄渤海带鱼资源衰 退严重; Ref 5, page 169; Ref 7, page 663-680)

3 刺鲳 Pacific Psenopsis SCS: resource decline seriously (Ref 7, page 635) 2 rudderfish anomala

3 北鲳(翎鲳) -- Pampus NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); (Original name in FAO report was “Pomfrets, Pampus spp.) 3 punctatissimus

3 银鲳 Silver Pampus NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); (Original name in FAO report was “Pomfrets, Pampus spp.) 4 pomfret argenteus ECS: overfished (Ref 3, page 292； Ref 5, page 198)

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3 中国鲳 Chinese Pampus NSCS: depleted+over capacity (1); (Original name in FAO report was “Pomfrets, Pampus spp.) 5 silver chinensis pomfret

3 牙鲆（褐 Bastard Paralichthys Bohai and YS: 6 牙鲆） halibut olivaceus overfished, resource decline to almost depleted (Ref 3, page 188; Ref 4, page 172; Ref 7, page 758)

3 桂皮斑鲆 Cinnamon Pseudorhombus NSCS: depleted+over capacity; (Original name in FAO report was “Flounders, Pseudorhombus spp.”) 7 flounder cinnamoneus

3 角木叶鲽 Ridged- Pleuronichthys YS: overfished, resource decline(Ref 3, page 188; Ref 7, page 759) 8 eye cornutus flounder

3 黄鳍马面 Thamnaconus NSCS: overexploited+over capacity (2); 9 鲀 hypargyreus ECS: overfished, overexploited (Ref 3, page 303; Ref 5, page 233; Ref 7, page 731)

4 黄鲫 Common Setipinna Bohai and YS: decreased (Ref 3, page 64) 0 hairfin tenuifilis anchovy

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Fully exploited, resource decreasing species

1 玉筋鱼 Pacific Ammodytes Moderate exploited (9) sandlance personatus

2 方氏云鳚 Enedrias fangi Fully exploited (Ref 4, page 134)

3 矛尾复鰕 Acanthogobius Resource decreasing (Ref 4, page 174) 虎鱼 hasta

4 龙头鱼 Bombay- Harpadon ECS: moderately fully exploited (9) duck nehereus

1. FAO. Report of the Second Workshop on the Assessment of Fishery Stock Status in South and Southeast Asia. Rome, 2010. Page 19. http://www.fao.org/3/a- i1663e.pdf 2. FAO. Review of the state of world marine fishery resources, Rome, 2011. Page 313-314. http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2389e/i2389e.pdf 3. Tang Qisheng. Regional Oceanography of China Seas----Fisheries Oceanography, Maritime Press. Bejing. 2012. 4. Jin Xianshi. The Basis and Prospects of Fisheries Resource Enhancement in Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. Beijing Science Press. Beijing. 2014. 5. ZHANG Qiuhua，CHENG Jiahua，XU Hanxiang，et al. The fish-eries resources and its sustainable use in East China Sea[M] ．Shanghai: Fudan University publication, 2007 6. Qiu Yongsong, Fisheries Resources and Fisheries Management in South China Sea. Maritime Press. Beijing. 2008 7. Tang Qisheng. The Marine Living Resources and Habitats in China EEZ , Bejing Science Press. Beijing. 2006. 8. Cheng Jiahua, Zhang Qiuhua. Fisheries Resources Utilization of East China Sea and the Yellow Sea .Shanghai Technology and Science Publication. Shanghai. 2006. 9. Cao, L., Naylor, R., Henriksson, P., Leadbitter, D., Metian, M., Troell, M., Zhang, W., 2015. China’s aquaculture and the world’s wild fisheries. Science (80-. ). 347, 133–135. doi:10.1126/science.1260149

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Appendix III Table 1 Summary of the edible commercial fish Japanese halfbeak Hyporhamphus sajori English Name Scientific Name Trachyrhamphus serratus Okamejei kenojei Bluespotted cornetfish Fistularia commersonii Gymnothorax reticularis Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli Rice-paddy eel Pisodonophis boro Sebastiscus marmoratus Longfin -eel Pisodonophis cancrivorus Spiny Chelidonichthys spinosus Daggertooth pike conger Muraenesox cinereus Bartail flathead Platycephalus indicus Whitespotted conger Conger myriaster Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus Elongate ilisha Ilisha elongata Japanese bigeye niphonia Japanese grenadier anchovy Coilia nasus Silver sillago Sillago sihama Osbeck's grenadier anchovy Coilia mystus Sillago japonica Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus Horsehead japonicus Common hairfin anchovy Setipinna tenuifilis Razorbelly scad kleinii Dotted gizzard shad Konosirus punctatus Shrimp scad Alepes djedaba Bloch's gizzard shad Nematalosa nasus Japanese scad Decapterus maruadsi Round Sardinella aurita Japanese jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus Giant catfish thalassinus Slender silver-biddy Gerres oblongus Synodus hoshinonis Whipfin silver-biddy Gerres filamentosus Snakefish Trachinocephalus myops Golden threadfin bream Nemipterus virgatus Greater lizardfish Saurida tumbil Whitecheek monocle bream Scolopsis vosmeri Saurida elongata Acanthopagrus schlegelii Bombay-duck Harpadon nehereus Yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus Blackmouth angler Lophiomus setigerus Threadfin porgy Evynnis cardinalis Yellow goosefish Lophius litulon E. Asian fourfinger threadfin Eleutheronema rhadinum Liza carinata Sixfinger threadfin sexfilis Liza haematocheila

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Big-head pennah croaker Pennahia macrocephalus Chub mackerel Scomber japonicus Johnius carouna Yellowtail barracuda Sphyraena flavicauda Sharpnose hammer croaker Johnius borneensis Trichiurus japonicus Johnius distinctus Savalai hairtail Lepturacanthus savala Johnius trewavasae Smallhead hairtail Eupleurogrammus muticus Johnius grypotus Pacific rudderfish Psenopsis anomala Blackmouth croaker Atrobucca nibe Pampus punctatissimus Bigeye croaker Pennahia anea Silver pomfret Pampus argenteus Silver croaker Pennahia argentata Chinese silver pomfret Pampus chinensis Larimichthys crocea Bastard halibut Paralichthys olivaceus Yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis Cinnamon flounder Pseudorhombus cinnamoneus Reeve's croaker Chrysochir aureus Tanakius kitaharae Tigertooth croaker Otolithes ruber Ridged-eye flounder Pleuronichthys cornutus Goatee croaker Dendrophysa russelii Zebra sole zebra Collichthys lucidus Paraplagusia japonica Mi-iuy (brown) croaker Miichthys miiuy Cynoglossus oligolepis Upeneus subvittatus Cynoglossus trigrammus Sulphur goatfish Upeneus sulphureus Cynoglossus roulei Bensasi goatfish Upeneus japonicus Red tonguesole Cynoglossus joyneri Jarbua terapon Terapon jarbua Threadsail cirrhifer Oplegnathus fascistus Lesser-spotted leatherjacket Thamnaconus hypargyreus Pacific sandlance Ammodytes personatus Acanthogobius hasta Table 2 Summary of the non-edible commercial fish English Name Scientific Name Mottled spinefoot Siganus fuscescens Stolephorus commersoni Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius Stolephorus indicus Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta Kammal thryssa Thryssa kammalensis

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Dussumier's thryssa Thryssa dussumieri Photopectoralis bindus Moustached thryssa Thryssa mystax Deep pugnose ponyfish Secutor ruconius Orangemouth anchovy Thryssa vitrirostris Equulites lineolatus Sardinella nymphaea Shortnose ponyfish Leiognathus brevirostris Sardinella hualiensis Leiognathus berbis Japanese sardinella Sardinella zunasi Gerres erythrourus Fringescale sardinella Sardinella fimbriata Chaetodon modestus Sardinella jussieu Heniochus chrysostomus Arius arius Callionymus octostigmatus Striped eel catfish Plotosus lineatus Glossogobius olivaceus Kamohara grenadier Coelorinchus kamoharai Trypauchen vagina Bregmaceros macclellandii Amblychaeturichthys hexanema John dory Zeus faber Chaeturichthys stigmatias Red lionfish Pterois volitans Japonolaeops dentatus Scorpaenopsis cirrosa Cockatoo righteye flounder Samaris cristatus Ocellated waspfish Apistus carinatus Unicorn sole Aesopia cornuta Paracentropogon rubripinnis Ovate sole Solea ovata Grey stingfish Minous monodactylus Speckled tonguesole Cynoglossus puncticeps Japanese flathead Inegocia japonica Rogadius asper Table 3 Summary of the Non commercial fish English Name Scientific Name Rough flathead Grammoplites scaber Scoliodon macrorhynchos Glowbelly Acropoma japonicum Okamejei boesemani Doederleinia berycoides Moringua macrocephalus Acropoma hanedai Dysomma melanurum Ostorhinchus semilineatus Bluntnose snake-eel Ophichthus apicalis Moonfish Mene maculata Gnathophis heterognathos

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Gnathophis nystromi Slender wrasse Suezichthys gracilis Silvery conger Ariosoma Jordan's damsel Teixeirichthys jordani Rhynchoconger ectenurus Champsodon atridorsalis Saurenchelys fierasfer Parapercis sexfasciata Indian ilisha Ilisha melastoma Parapercis ommatura Striated striatus Bembrops curvatura Boxlip mullet Oedalechilus labeo Bleekeria viridianguilla Dendrochirus bellus Uranoscopus japonicus Erisphex simplex Uranoscopus oligolepis Erisphex pottii Uranoscopus chinensis Aploactis aspera Xenocephalus elongatus alata Floral blenny Petroscirtes mitratus Cociella crocodilus Pholis fangi Hoplichthys langsdorfii Pholis nebulosa Pseudanthias rubrizonatus Callioonymus olidus Apogon quadrifasciatus Callionymus rivatoni Ostorhinchus pleuron Diplogrammus xenicus Ostorhinchus kiensis Callionymus japonicus Ostorhinchus fasciatus Callionymus virgis Jaydia carinatus Callionymus curvicornis Jaydia ellioti Butis koilomatodon Jaydia lineata Tropical sand goby Acentrogobius caninus Equulites rivulatus Frogface goby Oxyurichthys papuensis Gerres japonicus Taileyed goby Parachaeturichthys polynema Johnius sp. Synechogobius ommaturus Cepola schlegelii Odontamblyopus lacepedii

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Myersina filifer Cynoglossus gracilis Tridentiger barbatus Paramonacanthus sulcatus Tridentiger trigonocephalus alboplumbeus Taenioides cirratus Takifugu oblongus Blue flounder Crossorhombus azureus Yellowfin pufferfish Takifugu xanthopterus Psettina filimanus Takifugu niphopbles Arnoglossus tenuis Lagocephalus wheeleri Aseraggodes kobensis rivulata Cynoglossus sibogae

Table 4 List of the crustaceans identified from the samples No. English Name Scientific Name Latin names in italics 软甲亚纲Malacostraca 口足目Stomatopoda 虾姑科Squillidae 1 Smalleyed squillid mantis shri Miyakea nepa 2 Japanese squillid mantis shrim 3 Oratosquillina interrupta 4 Oratosquillina asiatica 5 Lophosquilla costata 6 Anchisquilla fasciata 十足目Decapoda 管鞭虾科Solenoceridae 7 Coastal mud shrimp Solenocera crassicornis

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对虾科Penaeidae 8 Shiba shrimp Metapenaeus joyneri 9 Spear shrimp Parapenaeopsis hardwickii 10 Smoothshell shrimp Parapenaeopsis tenella 11 Coral shrimp Parapenaeopsis cornuta 12 Periscope shrimp Atypopenaeus stenodactylus 13 Southern rough shrimp Trachypenaeus curvirostris 14 Whiskered velvet shrimp Metapenaeopsis barbata 樱虾科Sergestoidae 15 Northern mauxia shrimp chinensis 鼓虾科Alpheidae 16 Alpehus japonicus 17 Alpehus distinguendus 18 Alpehus brevicristatus 长臂虾科Palaemonidae 19 Exopalaemon carinicouda 20 Cipango prawn Exopalaemon annandalei 21 Palaemon tenuidactylus 22 Indian bait prawn Palaemon pacificus 23 Chinese ditch prawn Palaemon gravieri Palaemon sp. 玻璃虾科Pasiphaeidae 24 Lesser glass shrimp Leptochela gracilis 藻虾科Hippolytidae 25 Latreutes mucronatus 26 Latreutes mucronalus

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27 Tozeuma lanceolatum 长额虾科Pandalidae 28 Heterocarpoides laevicarina 褐虾科Crangonidae 29 Common shrimp 海蛄虾科Thalassinidae 30 anomalna 蝼蛄虾科Upogebiidae Upogenbia sp. 蝉虾科Scyllaridae 31 Scyllarus bertholdi 瓷蟹科Porcellanidae Petrolisthes sp. 玉蟹科Leucosiidae 32 Arcania undecimspinosa 馒头蟹科Calappidae 33 Flower moon crab Matuta planipes 34 Cyrtomaia spimigera 梭子蟹科Portunidae 35 Sand crab Ovalipes punctatus 36 Charybdis variegata 37 Two-spot swimming crab Charybdis bimaculata 38 Japanese swimming crab Charybdis japonica 39 Portunus gracilimanus 40 Gazami crab Portunus trituberculatus 41 Portunus argentatus

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42 Portunus haanii 43 Portunus hastatoidae 长脚蟹科Goneplacidae 44 Carcinoplax vestita 45 Carcinoplax purperea 46 Eucrate crenata 豆蟹科Pinnotherinae Tritodynamia sp. 方蟹科Grapsidae 47 Eriochier leptognathus

Appendix IV Aquaculture calculation The content below are extracted from the Report of “Research on the usage of marine fisheries resources by China’s aquaculture industry” (refer as “aquaculture research report” below). The research is done by Prof. Zhang Wenbo from Shanghai Ocean University for Greenpeace trash fish research.

1. Literature review The literature review aimed to calculate the amount of marine fisheries resource used as feed by the aquaculture in China. The marine fisheries resource is used as aquaculture feed in two forms: one is used in the compound feed through fish meal and fish oil, the other one is directed feed trash fish to the cultured species. Therefore, The overall usage of marine fisheries resource by aquaculture = marine fisheries resource used to produce fish meal + trash fish used as direct feed

The compound feed coefficient, trash fish (direct feed) coefficient, percentage of fish meal in the compound feed data is firstly compiled from various literature. Then the protocal from Henriksson et al. (2013) is applied to calculate the weighted average of data mentioned above. The aquaculture research report weight coefficient is given from the literature’s reliability, integrity, time relevance, geography relevance, technology relevance and sample size, based on the literature source and literature attribute).

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Adjustment coefficient a: To improve the accuracy of calculating volume of aquatic feed used in aquaculture production and feed coefficient data, we introduced adjustment coefficient a: adjustment coefficient a= weighted average of the aquatic feed annual production from various sources/aquatic feed annual usage calculated from aquaculture production In this research, adjustment coefficient a = 18.50 mmt/26.36 mmt = 0.7020

Aquatic feed production in 2014 from different sources No. Data source Data type Aquaculture feed Year Reference production（mmt） 1 China Ministry Official data 19.03 2014 (MOA, 2015) of Agriculture 2 China Feed Industry stastical 19.03 2014 (The Information Industry dta Centre of China Feed Association Industry Association, 2016) 3 ALLTECH Research data 18 2014 (ALLTECH, 2015) 4 BOABC Industry research 17.18 2014 (BOABC, 2015) data 5 SAIER Industry research 17.181 2014 (SAIER, 2015) data 6 This research Research data 18 2014

Adjustment coefficient b: The research by Tang et al., (2016) reported the fed rate (“fed rate” is the percentage of how much cultured production need to be fed by feeds.) from all major aquaculture species nationwide. However, the feed usage data from Tang’s research may be higher than the current situation. According to Chiu et al., (2013), many Chinese aquaculture farms use polyculture instead of monoculture, so one aquaculture species might use the feces from another aquaculture species. As a result, the overall feed used in polyculture could be less than the monoculture. Thus, introducing adjustment coefficient b to adjust the data provided in Tang’s research. So need to identify which species raised by poly- and which by mono-culture (I add a table below to explain the calculation) adjustment coefficient b = fed rate from Cao et al (2015) / fed rate fromTang et al (2016) Feed percentage from different sources and adjustment coefficient b

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Species/group of 2012 feed percentage 2012 feed adjustment species 1 percentage 2 coefficient b Compound feed Grass carp 85% 54.17% 63.73% percentage Compound feed 5% 0% 0.00% percentage Compound feed Common carp 85% 55.17% 64.91% percentage Compound feed Bighead carp 5% 0% 0.00% percentage Compound feed [Carassius spp] 85% 52% 61.18% percentage Compound feed Tilapia 90% 81.25% 90.28% percentage Compound feed Wuchang bream 85% 57.14% 67.23% percentage Compound feed Black carp 80% 60% 75.00% percentage Compound feed White leg shrimp 100% 93.75% 93.75% percentage Compound feed Other freshwater No data, therefore use the tilapia 90.28% percentage fishes adjustment coefficient Compound feed Other freshwater no data, therefore use the white leg 93.75% percentage curstaceans shrimp adjustment coefficient Compound feed Other marine no data, therefore use the white leg 93.75% percentage fishes shrimp adjustment coefficient Compound feed Other marine no data, therefore use the white leg 93.75% percentage curstaceans shrimp adjustment coefficient Compound feed Other no data, therefore use the white leg 93.75% percentage invertebrates shrimp adjustment coefficient Trash fish feed percentage All species no data, therefore use the white leg 93.75% shrimp adjustment coefficient 2012 feed percentage 1 is from Tang et al.(2016), is exstimated by experts. 2012 feed percentage 2 is from Cao et al (2015), is field rerearch data. adjustment coefficient = 2012 feed percentage 2/2012 feed percentage 1

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Trash fish used to produce fish meal Fish meal usage = aquaculture production* compound feed fed rate*percentage of the fish meal in compound feed* adjustment coefficient a* adjustment coefficient b

Trash fish used to produce fish meal = fish meal usage*75%/24% - 75% is the percentage of fish used to produce fish meal, the other 25% is leftovers from fish processing plants. - 24% is the efficiency of using fish to produce fishmeal (Cao et al., 2015; FAO, 2016a)

Overall usage of marinefisheries resource by aquaculture = trash fish used to produce fish meal + trash fish used as direct feed

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2. Field investigation Table S6 Scoping of the field research Content Large yellow croaker Chinese mitten crab Largemouth black bass Aquacultur freshwater intensive sea cage freshwater intensive e type fishponds fishponds species Large yellow croaker Chinese mitten crab Largemouth black bass dATE 2016, and a few research 2016, and a few research 2016, and a few research questions are related to questions are related to questions are related to 2015 2015 2015 location Hongsi, Suqian, Jiangsu; Sanduao, Ningde, Fujian Nanxun, Huzhou, Xinghua, Taizhou, Zhejiang; Jiangsu; Jiashan, Jiaxing, Yixing, Wuxi, Jiangsu Zhejiang

Table S7 Summary of field research findings

Large Chinese Largemout parameter source or method yellow mitten h black croaker crab bass FIFO from literature review literature review 5.35 1.72 3.34 Trash fish (direct feed) coefficient Field research 7.00 1.88 3.34 Compound feed coefficient Field research 0.11 2.04 0.17 Percentage of fish meal and fish oil in the literature review 45 21 53 compound feed (%) FIFO from field Overall usage fisheries investigation（all trash 7.15 3.22 3.63 resource/aquaculture production fish） FIFO from field Overall usage of marine fisheries 7.15 2.99 3.63

8 investigation（marine trash resource/aquaculture production fish only） comparing the FIFO from field 2.1% 59% 8.7% research and literature review

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Table S8 Results from literature review (sea water aquaculture)

Total Trash fish overall Percentage estimated Proportion (direct Usage of usage Category of English Aquaculture Proportion of Compound of fish meal Fish meal sage of of trash fish feed) trash fish fisheries cultured name production in compound feed feed in the usage FIFO compound (direct feed) coefficien (direct resource by species 2014 (ton) （%） coefficient compound (ton) feed (ton) （%） t feed) (ton) aquaculture feed (%) for 2014 (ton) Largemouth fish 113803 84.38 1.57 106077 37 39249 9.38 4.09 30635 145110 1.82 black bass Flounder (鲆 fish 126397 56.25 1.07 53655 50 26827 37.50 4.04 134411 212657 2.40 鱼) Large yellow fish 127917 18.75 1.70 28695 45 12913 75.00 6.57 442489 480151 5.35 croaker fish Cobia 35563 9.38 2.05 4809 43 2068 84.38 7.42 156320 162352 6.50 Amberjacks fish 19272 18.75 1.07 2705 45 1217 75.00 6.85 69477 73027 5.40 nei Porgies, fish seabreams 59281 46.88 1.66 32393 45 14577 46.88 6.38 124374 166890 4.01 nei fish Red drum 69940 28.13 1.83 25251 40 10100 65.63 6.23 200755 230215 4.69 Tiger fish 18125 18.75 2.16 5142 41 2108 75.00 4.00 38174 44322 3.48 pufferfish fish Groupers nei 88130 14.06 1.47 12793 50 6397 79.69 5.45 268623 287280 4.64 Righteye fish flounders 9629 75.00 1.27 6448 45 2902 18.75 4.63 5866 14329 2.12 nei Snubnose fish 110000 89.06 1.42 97530 35 34135 4.69 7.10 25718 125279 1.62 pompano Invertebrate fish 411610 37.50 1.57 170207 45 76593 56.25 5.70 927292 1150689 3.98 s Crustacean Whiteleg 875470 93.75 1.20 689874 27 186266 0.00 0.00 0 543276 0.88

10 s shrimp Crustacean Giant tiger 74869 93.75 1.41 69410 30 20823 0.00 0.00 0 60734 1.16 s prawn Crustacean Fleshy 48167 79.69 1.17 31640 35 11074 3.75 5.22 6625 38924 1.15 s prawn Crustacean Kuruma 47469 37.50 1.22 15242 35 5335 15.00 5.22 26115 41675 1.25 s prawn Portunus Crustacean swimcrabs 118836 4.69 1.90 7443 41 3051 35.63 4.37 129957 138857 1.66 s nei Crustacean IndoPacific 140738 4.69 2.35 10901 39 4251 35.63 4.86 170939 183339 1.86 s swamp crab Crustacean Other 128214 52.34 1.54 72688 35 25077 15.00 4.92 66421 139562 1.55 s Crustaceans shellfish Shellfish 885443 0.52 1.71 5539 25 1385 5.00 4.02 124930 128969 0.21 shellfish Abalones nei 115397 2.81 2.05 4662 20 932 0.00 0.00 0 2719 0.03 shellfish Sea snails 232849 1.88 1.38 4216 30 1265 45.00 4.02 295681 299370 1.83 Cupped shellfish 4352053 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 oysters nei shellfish Blood cockle 353388 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 Sea mussels shellfish 805583 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 nei Pen shells shellfish 17618 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 nei shellfish Scallops nei 1649399 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 Japanese shellfish 3966953 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 carpet shell Constricted shellfish 786828 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 tagelus seaweeds 2004576 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 others Others 57672 13.44 7.02 38182 12 4391 0.00 0.00 0 12807 0.32 Japanese sea others 200969 12.19 7.02 120676 3 3620 0.00 0.00 0 10559 0.07 cucumber

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Sea urchins others 6791 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 nei Jellyfishes others 67532 28.13 0.00 0 20 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 nei

Table S9 Results from literature review (freshwater aquaculture) Trash fish Usage of overall Percentage Propotion of (direct trash usage Aquaculture Propotion of Compound Usage of of fish Fish meal trash fish feed) fish fisheries Category English name production compound feed feed compound meal in the usage FIFO (direct feed) coefficien (direct resource by in 2014 (ton) （%） coefficient feed (ton) compound (ton) （%） t feed) aquaculture feed (%) (ton)） (ton) fish Grass 5376803 54.17 2.35 4804097 2 72061 0.00 0.00 0 210179 0.06 carp(=White amur) fish Silver carp 4226009 0.00 1.78 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 fish Common 3172433 55.17 1.83 2243595 6 134616 0.00 0.00 0 392629 0.18 carp fish Bighead 3202887 0.00 1.78 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 carp fish [Carassius 2767910 52.00 1.70 1713781 8 137102 0.00 0.00 0 399882 0.21 spp] fish Tilapia 1698483 81.25 1.60 1552378 6 93143 0.00 0.00 0 271666 0.23 fish Wuchang 783023 57.14 1.66 520366 6 31222 0.00 0.00 0 91064 0.17 bream fish Black carp 557328 63.75 1.54 384587 10 38459 0.00 0.00 0 112171 0.29 fish Snakehead 510340 76.74 1.28 351482 30 105445 14.06 4.34 218444 525991 1.47 fish catfish(鲇鱼 450846 81.25 1.12 288443 32 92302 0.00 0.00 0 269213 0.85 ) fish Asian 357991 45.14 1.79 203380 38 77284 9.38 6.78 159854 385267 1.53

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swamp eel fish Largemouth 351772 27.08 1.57 105249 53 55782 65.63 4.09 662861 825559 3.34 black bass loach 343130 76.74 2.10 389019 10 38902 0.00 0.00 0 113464 0.47 fish Yellow 333651 90.28 1.60 338509 27 91397 0.00 0.00 0 266576 1.14 catfish fish Mandarin 293853 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 fish fish Channel 248608 90.28 2.29 360180 8 28814 0.00 0.00 0 84042 0.48 catfish fish Japanese 218498 90.28 1.51 209652 55 115309 0.00 0.00 0 336317 2.19 eel fish Pirapatinga 103815 90.28 2.08 136681 5 6834 0.00 0.00 0 19933 0.27 fish Clearhead 20546 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 icefish fish Other fishes 1011729 90.28 1.68 1077532 25 269383 4.45 5.07 160364 946064 1.33 Crustaceans Giant river 127204 93.75 1.42 118513 28 33184 0.00 0.00 0 96785 1.08 prawn Crustaceans Oriental 257641 75.00 1.79 242211 21 50864 0.00 0.00 0 148354 0.82 river prawn Crustaceans Red swamp 659661 9.38 1.56 67789 10 6779 0.00 0.00 0 19772 0.04 crawfish Crustaceans Whiteleg 701423 93.75 1.20 552724 29 160290 0.00 0.00 0 467512 0.95 shrimp Crustaceans Chinese 796535 56.25 2.37 744360 21 156316 14.06 6.41 504405 960326 1.72 mitten crab Crustaceans other 17229 65.63 1.67 13218 22 2882 2.81 6.41 2182 10586 0.88 Crustaceans shellfish Shellfish 23917 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00

13 shellfish Swan 92459 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 mussel shellfish Sea snails 110393 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 shellfish Asian clam 24431 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 seaweeds Spirulina nei 8553 0.00 0.00 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0 0.00 others Chinese 341288 93.75 1.46 327289 50 163645 0.00 6.52 0 477296 1.99 softshell turtle others Frogs 92993 93.75 1.17 71500 32 22880 0.00 0.00 0 66733 1.02 others River and 36225 93.75 1.53 36503 32 11681 0.00 6.42 0 34070 0.00 lake turtles nei others Others 37984 93.75 1.39 34636 38 13162 0.00 6.47 0 38388 0.00

References used in Appendix II Henriksson, P.J.G., Guinée, J.B., Heijungs, R., Koning, A., Green, D.M., 2013. A protocol for horizontal averaging of unit process data—including estimates for uncertainty. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. doi:10.1007/s11367-013-0647-4 TANG Qisheng;HAN Dong;MAO Yuze;ZHANG Wenbing;SHAN Xiujuan, 2016. Species composition, non-fed rate and trophic level of Chinese aquaculture. Journal of Fishery Sciences of China , 2016(04), 729–758. Chiu, A., Li, L., Guo, S., Bai, J., Fedor, C., Naylor, L.R., Naylor, R.L., 2013. Feed and fishmeal use in the production of carp and tilapia in China. Aquaculture 414–415, 127–134. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.07.049 Cao, L., Naylor, R., Henriksson, P., Leadbitter, D., Metian, M., Troell, M., Zhang, W., 2015. China’s aquaculture and the world’s wild fisheries. Science (80-. ). 347, 133– 135. doi:10.1126/science.1260149 Han, D., Shan, X., Zhang, W., Chen, Y., Wang, Q., Li, Z., Zhang, G., Xu, P., Li, J., Xie, S., Mai, K., Tang, Q., De Silva, S.S., 2016. A revisit to fishmeal usage and

14 associated consequences in Chinese aquaculture. Rev. Aquac. 1–15. doi:10.1111/raq.12183 FAO, 2016a. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2016. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome. FAO, 2014. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, Rome. FAO, 2012. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012, Aquaculture. Rome. Mallison, A., 2013. Fishery Discards and By-Products : Increasing Raw Material Supply for Fishmeal and Fish Oil. London. Murray, F., Zhang, W., Nietes-Satapornvanit, A., Phan, L.T., Haque, M.M., Henriksson, P., Little, D.C., 2011. Report on Boundary Issues. Stirling. Zhang, W., 2014. SUSTAINING EXPORT-ORIENTED VALUE CHAINS OF FARMED SEAFOOD IN CHINA. University of Stirling.

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