Paper reviews alternatives for fish oil in fish feed
A study published in the inaugural issue of Reviews in Aquaculture provides a review and discussion of research activities conducted to evaluate alternative lipid sources to replace fish oil in aqua diets.
Dietary lipids are required by fish as an essential source of omega-3 for regular growth, health, reproduction and bodily functions. At present, aquafeeds use about 90% of the global supply of fish oil as a lipid source. In addition to the economic factors of rising global fish oil prices and limited supplies, the aquaculture industry is under intense pressure from both scientists and environmental groups to find and implement alternatives to fish oil.
75% of fish oil can be substituted
The paper focuses on the effects of fish oil replacement in finfish nutrition on feed quality, fish performance, feed efficiency, lipid metabolism, final eating quality and related economic aspects. The review concludes that about 75% of dietary fish oil can be substituted with alternative lipid sources, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, without significantly affecting growth performance, feed efficiency and intake for almost all finfish species studied. However, as different species responds differently to fish oil diet replacement, further research is required for the realization of eco-friendly and cost effective aquafeeds.
This paper is published in Reviews in Aquaculture (Vol. 1, Issue 1, pg 10-57), and is available free online
Related folder:
Dossier AllAbout Aquafeed
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