Overview

• An analysis of listings from four major U.S. online retailers found that about 90% of 734 marine fish species offered were sourced solely from the wild, with only 3% available exclusively from aquaculture.
• The study documented 45 species of conservation concern—20 threatened and 25 with declining trends—with 38 of those sourced only from wild populations.
• Aquacultured fish were on average 28.1% cheaper than comparable wild-caught options, indicating untapped potential for sustainable supply.
• Researchers describe opaque supply chains that leave consumers without reliable provenance information and call for credible eco-certification and stronger regulatory oversight.
• With the U.S. responsible for roughly two-thirds of global aquarium fish imports and most specimens collected from Indo-Pacific reefs, the authors urge investment in aquaculture and support for well-managed wild fisheries to protect livelihoods.