Curiosity isour passion

Motivation and creativity are essential in research. Curiosity is the underlying force that drives us forward, nourishing our desire for knowledge and clearing the way for innovation.

Curiosity has made us look deep into the microscope to see what happens in fish and shrimp. It has made us look into novel methodologies never before used in aquaculture research. It has also made us use old technologies like x-rays to see what happens – not just in the aquatic animal, but also in the feed itself. Feed for aquatic animals has a uniqueness and complexity unlike any other animal feed. It must satisfy all requirements at different stages of life, different temperatures, and it must withstand – of course – water. In order to meet the challenges of this complexity it was no longer enough to use traditional aquaculture research.

We would not have reached MicroBalance without curiosity. Our researchers did not give up wondering why there were limits in fishmeal inclusion. When answers started to come, research was repeated until there was no doubt.

Curiosity, however, is not enough. It is inevitably combined with meticulous work – protocols, trials, analyses, validation of new methodologies, writing reports, concluding, issuing recommendations and collaborating with people across research and business.

alex obach

The managing director of Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre AS (ARC) is qualified as a veterinarian and has a PhD. Dr Obach is a member of the global management team within Skretting and the Nutreco R&D platform.

Dr. AlejAnDro obAch MeDrAno

Curiosity gives us energy

Heliozoan (Actinosphaerium eichhorni) Protozoa (Sarcodina) w

ith long axopodia for capturing prey.

Curiosity is the desire for knowledge

Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) is the global research organisation for Skretting, ensuring that the world’s leading fish and shrimp feed producer maintains its position at the forefront of the rapidly developing aquaculture industry.

The research centre is based in Stavanger, Norway, and has further research units in Italy, Spain, China and Japan. Skretting ARC employs an international team of highly skilled specialists, supported by a substantial annual investment in advanced R&D. 30 of our 70 employees are researchers, and our staff represents almost 20 nationalities. We collaborate with several institutes and private companies across the globe.

Our core competencies are within nutrition, health, feed production and research methodologies. Skretting is owned by the Dutch company Nutreco B.V, a global leader in animal nutrition and fish feed, employing over 10,000 people worldwide. The Nutreco family has several research centres in the field of animal nutrition and ingredients.

Skretting ArC where SCienCe meetS induStry

Skretting ARC’s ultimate goal is to see our research implemented into innovative and sustainable solutions for the aquaculture industry. In this brochure we provide some examples of innovations, whether they are products, methodologies or manufacturing improvements.

From research to real liFe

Centric fossil freshwater diatom

frustule.

Skretting delivers nutrition and services worldwide for the sustainable production of healthy and delicious fish and shrimp. Operating companies around the world produce and deliver feed from hatching to harvest for more than 50 species of farmed fish and shrimp. With a volume of more than 1.5 billion kilos feed produced each year, we can literally say that we feed millions!

wefeedmillions

Operating companies

Licensed production

Australia and New ZealandAtlantic salmonRainbow troutChinook salmonBarramundiYellowtail kingfishSouthern Bluefin tunaSilver perchMurray codEelAbalone

Latin AmericaShrimpPacific salmonAtlantic salmonTroutTilapiaCarpTambaquiPacuTambacuYellowtail amberjackCobiaPirapitingaMatinxãPiaucu

PintadoCacharaPirarucu

North AmericaChinook salmonAtlantic salmonTroutSturgeonMahi mahiCodHalibutStriped bassTilapiaCatfishDrumBarramundiBlue gillCharKoiPink salmonChum salmonCoho salmonLargemouth bassPerchSteelhead

Northern Europe Atlantic salmonTroutCodHalibutWolf fish

Southern Europe and TurkeySea bassSea breamTurbotTilapiaEelTroutAtlantic salmonYellowtailCatfishSoleSturgeonNorth Atlantic tunaTenchAbalonePerchMeagre

AsiaShrimpYellowtail kingfishAmberjackRed sea breamPacific Bluefin tunaSnake headStripe jackFlounderTroutCoho salmonCarpTilapiaGrouperMilk fish

Curiosityfor asustainableaquaCulture

As the industry leader, Skretting has a special commitment to sustainability. As aquaculture grows, so does the demand for marine raw materials, and over the years we have been devoted to research into alternative raw materials of vegetable origin.

At one time, 3 kg of feed was needed to grow 1 kg of salmon. Today the ratio is around 1:1 and that kilo of feed can contain levels of fishmeal as low as 100g, enabling salmon and trout farmers to produce more fish protein than they use in the feed.

We also managed to reduce the dependence on fish oils while ensuring the final fish products retain the eating and nutritional qualities consumers expect.

The next sustainability objective was to replace fishmeal with vegetable proteins. Relentless curiosity and progressive research led to identifying micronutrients in fishmeal that proved to be essential to the fish. Now, using the MicroBalance concept, Skretting is producing grower feeds with much lower fishmeal contents. This means sustainably available fishmeal can be shared across the expanding aquaculture industry and contents minimised when supplies narrow.

feeding the future

MicroBalance allows Skretting to replace one feed raw material with another without detracting from feed performance, fish welfare or end product quality. It is now used for most feed for farmed fish in Skretting.

MicroBalance™

DNA fingerprinting of fish gut microflora used in M

icroBalance research.

Using a feed from an early stage is crucial in reducing production risks and costs and contributes to more standardised production conditions. This results in more predictable production of high-quality fry.

Marine fish larvae in particular require special rearing conditions and feed. This is because they must go through a metamorphosis before attaining features and physiological capabilities of juvenile fish. Importantly, marine larvae can be dependent on live feed before they can be weaned onto feed, either before or after metamorphosis. Skretting ARC conducts research to optimise the nutritional conditions for the larvae and the fish during the initial stages of post-metamorphosis. A clear goal of the research is to reduce the dependence on live feed. Research includes work on broodstock nutrition, live feed culture and enrichment, early weaning diets and post weaning diets.

HatcHery researcH

Gemma Micro is Skretting’s unique early weaning diet in the hatchery rearing of marine fish larvae. Gemma Micro can replace Artemia and thus reduce dependency on live feed.

Gemma micro

Eggs and larvae from gilthead seabream

. Photo: Tinamenor.

Curiosity from the beginning

Our nutrition researchers constantly work on identifying the nutritional needs of various species of fish and shrimp and establish how various raw materials can be used to meet those nutritional requirements.

Over the years, literally hundreds of raw materials have been tested in our facilities. Testing of new raw materials includes assessing their nutritional value and their functionality during the production process, as well as excluding any potential risk on food safety, sustainability and food quality.

Our research takes species, size, biology, environment and health conditions into consideration when assessing nutritional needs. Feeds are developed for all fish species growing under optimal conditions. Additionally, difficult environmental conditions, like increasing sea water temperatures, are being dealt with through the development of specifically adapted feeds.

NutritioNresearch

HT Feed is an example of a recent innovation in fish nutrition. It has been well documented that there is a reduction in a salmon’s appetite and growth when the sea temperature exceeds 15 °C. At Skretting ARC, we have found a feed solution that counteracts this. Controlled tests have brought very positive results: The fish is more robust and has better appetite which makes it grow faster. The solution prepares us for climate change affecting aquaculture.

HT Feed

The illustration shows an area of salm

on gut stained with special stains to highlight structures.

Curiosityis our main ingredient

Shrimp researchers in Skretting ARC are integrated together with the fish researchers, whether they are looking at nutrition, health, food safety or feed technology. There is synergy as elements of research and implementation are the same.

We conduct research to significantly improve the flexibility in shrimp feed formulations. While South America and Asia produce most of the shrimp volumes, regional constraints and particularities have to be considered and integrated in order to offer the most efficient feed.

Food safety and quality assurance are important factors in shrimp feed production. Our shrimp businesses are integrated in existing technical systems and processes in Skretting ARC.

Shrimp feed usually contains high levels of crude protein, and the utilisation of alternative protein sources has become a high priority. Our research looks into this, in addition to lipid nutrition, which also represents a significant constraint in shrimp feed. Complementary R&D develops NIR calibrations to characterise raw materials typically used in shrimp feed. Solutions to stimulate shrimp health will also be developed. Finally, research in shrimp feed production aims to apply best practice and optimise processes.

A goal is to implement MicroBalance for shrimp feed.

Shrimp egg under the m

icroscope.

Bringing shrimp and fish research together

PL is Skretting’s high quality shrimp starter diet designed to offer advanced nutrition to shrimp hatcheries. PL is formulated so that it can be introduced at the zoea stage, directly after feeding with diatoms and freshly hatched Artemia nauplii.

PL

Curiosity unites us

Skretting ARC has a key role in quality assurance of fish, fish feed and feed raw materials in Skretting. Our state-of-the art laboratory located in Stavanger, Norway is home to an extensive array of instrumentation and professional staff dedicated for Skretting. It is accredited according to ISO 17025. Together with the rest of Skretting ARC, our laboratory is certified according to ISO 9001. Thorough analysis allows for accurate and objective evaluation of the quality of feed such that Skretting can adjust both feed and raw materials for a healthy and balanced diet vital to the well-being of aquatic animals. In order to meet future challenges, Skretting ARC develops and applies new and even more accurate analytical methods. The development of innovative and faster analytical technology reduces use of chemicals thereby contributing positively to sustaina-bility. It also increases speed of analysis dramatically, allowing our operating companies to make adjustments in their formulations quickly and precisely. Skretting ARC also has a central role in evaluating and approving new feed raw materials. Furthermore, it coordinates monitoring of undesirable substances in raw materials and feed produced by Skretting.

PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD SAFETYAND QUALITY

NIR is an important tool for robust and instant analyses of our feed and raw materials. It is used to provide accurate analyses of raw materials, so that feeds can be manufactured with greater precision, and to provide on-the-spot analyses of finished feeds. Using mathematical equations and the amount of energy absorbed, the presence of components such as protein and fat in raw materials and feed is measured.

NEAR INFRARED REFLECTION

Opened fava bean pod that shows the beans.

Curiosity digs deeper

Skretting’s health researchers work toward proactive and reactive in-feed solutions. We are continuously looking for new functional ingredients that provide health benefits.

In our search for health promoting diets, we conduct research on immunostimulants, antioxidants, stress reduction and gut strength. We formulate diets for specific situations such as infectious diseases or extreme environmental conditions, and we work on optimising medicated feed. We also look into prevention and control by nutritional means of production related disorders, such as cataracts and deformities.

We use several methodologies to find answers in the complex field of aquatic animal health. For example, Skretting ARC has developed pioneering quantitative histological methods that provide highly sensitive appraisals of changes in organ structure. This approach is sensitive enough to discern subtle differences in tissue morphology that could not be classified by traditional means.

HEALTHrEsEArcH

In Protec, immunostimulants combine with a unique blend of organic acids and plant extracts that stimulate gut health and optimise gut microflora. Antioxidants work on an intra-cellular level to mop up the free radicals generated by an immune system fighting an infection.

PROTEC™

A microscopic picture of fish gills.

Curiositysolvesmysteries

The production of fish feed is an intricate matter. Strict criteria regulate the physical quality of the pellets, and sophisticated process equipment is needed. Raw material procurement is a big cost driver, so a significant part of the feed production research aims to increase both raw material flexibility and functionality.

Even small improvements in product technology can lead to better quality, increased efficiency and a more sustainable process. Since Skretting produces more than 1.5 billion kilos of feed each year, improvements add up to big numbers.

Looking back, Skretting made one of the first advances in the 1980s by introducing extruded feeds that allowed us to increase fat contents significantly. Later on, vacuum coating allowed us to draw the oil into the feed pellets instead of just coating them.

Skretting ARC is committed to bringing the feed industry towards new breakthroughs. This requires great curiosity and of course, patience. Our patented technology for tuna feed is an innovation that combines new methodologies and our cooperation with farmers. Taking an x-ray microtomography of the feed is another example of researchers looking deeper to find answers. This methodology is a tool to understand and improve the physical quality of the feed.

Feed production technology

Feed raw material prices are highly volatile. Multiple novel raw materials have been studied to increase raw material flexibility without impacting the physical or nutritional quality. Needed changes in the production process to cope with different materials have been developed, enabling Skretting factories to adjust feed compositions.

Raw mateRial flexibility

X-ray microtom

ography of fish feed.

Curiosityis in thedetails

Although Skretting ARC is owned by a commercial feed producer, we function as a neutral research institute, serving as an active participant in collaborative projects. Over the years, we have participated in a number of EU projects collaborating with several universities and research institutes. We are also active in programmes funded by the Norwegian Research Council. There is an ongoing interchange of ideas and knowledge between Nutreco’s research centres to capture synergies and avoid duplicated effort. In the Netherlands, Spain and Canada, Nutreco has research centres in animal nutrition, ingredients and food.

In addition, Skretting ARC collaborates extensively with research institutes in France, Spain and Italy, focusing on the nutritional needs of sea bass, sea bream and other marine species. We are also involved in a longer-term collaboration with a university in Japan as well as institutes in several different countries specialising in shrimp research.

Acknowledgedin AquAculturereseArch

Skretting ARC is part of an EU-funded project to maximise the retention of marine omega-3 fatty acids in farmed fish given feeds with improved sustainability. Known as Omega3max, the project is led by the University of Madrid, Spain, and lasts from 2012 to 2016.

EU projEct

Close-up of a marine Radiolarian test. The hard protozoan skeleton surface is com

posed of silica or strontium sulfate.

CuriosityCrosses borders

Skretting ARC is based in Stavanger, Norway. It has research units in Italy, Spain, China and Japan.

NorwayA pilot-scale feed technology plant has an experimental extruder which allows for research using novel production methods and new ingredients, also facilitating a better understanding of the extrusion processes. Additionally, the plant produces sample batches of experimental diets for trials.

The researcher then performs trials at the ARC Fish Trial Station at Lerang where all facilities, including units holding seawater, are land-based. Land-based tanks offer greater ability to monitor and control environmental conditions such as temperature and oxygen and to eliminate external threats. They are ideal for conducting experiments with larger fish in seawater. The station is also used for growth and digestibility trials, from fry to adult fish and to run digestibility tests. Finally, the station has its own laboratory to conduct experiments with sea lice.

Trial results can be analysed in ARC’s accredited aquaculture laboratory. The laboratory measures precisely the nutritional value of feed raw materials and it assesses the qualities and compositions of Skretting feed. Southern EuropeFeed developments for freshwater trout are assessed at our trial station in northern Italy. With regard to sea bass and sea bream and other species, we conduct trials in different institutes in the region, coordinated by our research unit in Spain.

AsiaFacilities for yellowtail kingfish and red sea bream are available together with the Kagoshima University in Japan. A shrimp research centre is located in the vicinity of Skretting China in the southeast of the country.

ourresearch units

ourpeople

Researchers are often somewhat remote from the business and industry they work for. Not in Skretting ARC. Our researchers are members of networks that spread throughout the Skretting global organisation, exchanging knowledge and driving progress in formulation, manufacturing, product quality, fish health and performance. Skretting researchers and commercial people cooperate in seamless processes that take innovative ideas through to practical products, with the two-way communication that is vital to ensure research is relevant and great ideas deliver benefits to customers. Even so, to assure independence of thought and action, ARC is organised as a legal incorporated entity. Quality assurance is formalised by certifications, so that quality systems and audits are ingrained in the company culture. About twenty nationalities are represented in ARC, with a commendable balance between number of men and women. This diversity makes it a lively and stimulating place to work in. Familiarity with multiple cultures means our employees connect easily with people from different parts of the globe, whether Skretting colleagues, customers or scientists with complementary interests. Competence development is both encouraged and required. Technology moves fast, and effective employees in a research organisation need to keep pace with developments not just in the world of aquaculture but in other sciences as well. At the same time, we provide opportunities for competence development in other valuable skills such as communication. Enjoying work provides a stimulus to creativity. Treating people as people, ARC pays attention to employee welfare; promoting sport and health, culture, hobbies and social activities. Within this stimulating, multi-cultural, science-focused but caring atmosphere, the ARC family pursue their passion – Curiosity.

Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre

Visiting addressSkretting ARC A/SSjøhagen 34016 StavangerNorway

Invoice addressSkretting ARC A/SP. O. Box 3194001 StavangerNorway

Telephone +47 51 82 55 00Fax +47 51 82 55 01E-mail arc@skretting.com

VAT number 929 729 161

a nutreco companywww.skretting.comwww.nutreco.com

ARE YOU CURIOUS?Visit www.skrettingarc.com