Sustainable Fish Feed

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New "fishless" feeds could make aquaculture

more sustainableBen CoxworthAugust 7, 2013

3 PICTURES

Prawns raised on the Novacq fish-free feed additive (Photo: CSIRO) .View gallery (3 images)

When it comes to commercial aquaculture, a lot of people have some legitimate concerns fish farms can introduceantibiotics, anti-algal chemicals and concentrated fish waste into the ocean; escaped fish can upset the localecological balance; and wild fish still need to be caught in large numbers, as a food source for some species of farmedfish. While there have been recent effortsto address the first two concerns, the fish-in-the-fish-food problem is nowbeing taken on in two different research projects. These are aimed at replacing the fish content in fish feed with moresustainable ingredients.

A diet of microbes for prawns

Traditionall, farmed prawns !or shrimp, depending on where ou"re from# have been fed pellets that contain some fishmeal and fish oil. These are included mainl to help the animals grow large, and to do so quickl. $cientists at

%ustralia"s &ommonwealth $cientific and 'ndustrial (esearch )rganisation !&$'()#, however, have spent the past *+

ears developing a feed additive that does awa with those fish ingredients. The result, known as ovacq, was

officiall announced at the end of last month.ovacq contains marine microorganisms that have been bred in captivit, and which have been shown to pla acrucial role in prawns" growth process. 'n a large-scale field test, the product was mied with an eisting commercialfeed !taking the place of the usual fish meal and oil#, then used in ponds at an %ustralian prawn farm. %ccording to&$'(), the ovacq-consuming black tiger prawns grew an average of + percent faster than their regular-food-eatingcounterparts, plus the were healthier.
http://www.gizmag.com/author/ben-coxworth/http://www.gizmag.com/fishless-fish-feed/28615/pictureshttp://www.gizmag.com/fishless-fish-feed/28615/pictureshttp://www.gizmag.com/fishless-fish-feed/28615/pictureshttp://www.gizmag.com/sea-cucumbers-to-be-bred-at-fish-farms/17779/http://www.gizmag.com/velella-research-project-fish-farming/19857/http://www.gizmag.com/fishless-fish-feed/28615/pictureshttp://www.gizmag.com/fishless-fish-feed/28615/pictureshttp://www.gizmag.com/sea-cucumbers-to-be-bred-at-fish-farms/17779/http://www.gizmag.com/velella-research-project-fish-farming/19857/http://www.gizmag.com/author/ben-coxworth/


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&$'() plans to conduct more tests of the additive, and has licensed the technolog to %ustralia"s (idle %gri/roducts.'t is hoped that ovacq will be commerciall available within about a ear.

Turning meat-eating fish into vegetarians

0ish meal and oil are also used in the pellets eaten b carnivorous fish, such as sea bream and striped bass.

$cientists at the 1niversit of 2arland &enter for 3nvironmental $cience, however, have developed an alternative

feed that consists entirel of plant-based ingredients.'nstead of fish meal, the eperimental new feed includes corn, wheat, and so. Taking the place of fish oil is acombination of lipids !fatt acids# from algae, amino acid supplements, and sobean or canola oil.
http://www.agriproducts.com.au/http://www.agriproducts.com.au/http://www.agriproducts.com.au/


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Dr. Allen Place (left) and Dr. Aaron Watson, developers of the vegetarian fish feed (Photo: University of Maryland Center for Environmental

Science/Cheryl Nemazie)

ot onl have test fish apparentl thrived on the feed, but their flesh reportedl has /&4 and mercur levels that are*++-fold lower than those found in fish consuming regular pellets containing wild-caught fish. %ccording to co-creatorof the feed 5r. %llen /lace, this would allow consumers to eat striped bass twice a week, as opposed to the onceever two weeks that"s currentl recommended.

$ources6 &$'(),1niversit of 2arland &enter for 3nvironmental $cience7s 'nstitute for 2arine and 3nvironmentalTechnolog

&ould 'nsects be %lternative to 0ish 2eal in %quaculture8

b&ontent /rovider 9 %ug :, +*< 94log 9 comments

Aquaculture uses proteins such as fish meal, meat, and soy protein to feed fish. However, insect based meal could also play a

major role in feeding fish in aquaculture, and could become a sustainable alternative to fish meals.
http://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Media/Perfect-food-for-perfect-prawns.aspxhttp://www.umces.edu/imet/project/scientists-discover-key-easing-aquaculture%E2%80%99s-reliance-wild-caught-fishhttp://www.umces.edu/imet/project/scientists-discover-key-easing-aquaculture%E2%80%99s-reliance-wild-caught-fishhttp://www.umces.edu/imet/project/scientists-discover-key-easing-aquaculture%E2%80%99s-reliance-wild-caught-fishhttp://worldwideaquaculture.com/author/blogger/http://worldwideaquaculture.com/category/blog/http://worldwideaquaculture.com/could-insects-be-alternative-to-fish-meal-in-aquaculture/#respondhttp://www.csiro.au/en/Portals/Media/Perfect-food-for-perfect-prawns.aspxhttp://www.umces.edu/imet/project/scientists-discover-key-easing-aquaculture%E2%80%99s-reliance-wild-caught-fishhttp://www.umces.edu/imet/project/scientists-discover-key-easing-aquaculture%E2%80%99s-reliance-wild-caught-fishhttp://worldwideaquaculture.com/author/blogger/http://worldwideaquaculture.com/category/blog/http://worldwideaquaculture.com/could-insects-be-alternative-to-fish-meal-in-aquaculture/#respond


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Finding sustainable feed for aquacultureproduction could be challenging for fish farmers, considering the cost and environmental

issues. 0ish farmers often use fish meal, or pelleted feed that are made from other fish as a source of protein. 1sing wild caught fish to

feed farmed fish has alwas been a controversial issue.

'nsects as an %lternative to 0ish 2eal in %quaculture

% major portion of the seafood in the market comes from aquaculture, and fish meal is an essential part of man tpes of aquaculture feed

around the world. This is because fish meal is high in protein which ensures the optimum growth, taste and health of the fish.

'n man cases, plant based protein could be a viable substitute for fish meal. 'nsects could also become a ke plaer in the fish feed

market, which could also be a sustainable alternative to fish meal. 'n man countries around the world, insects are alread being cultured

for commercial use in fish farms.

'nsects to feed the world

'magine millions of maggots squirming over a blackened piece of fruit or on a blood lump of rotten flesh. =ou might find this disgusting, but

it could be just a step awa in the food chain from reaching our dinner table. Tests are being done in countries like $outh %frica, the 1$,

0rance, &anada and the etherlands where the are gearing up for large-scale farming of insects to feed chicken, pigs and farmed fish.

Many of them are convinced that bugs can provide a sustainable alternative to more conventional but increasingly expensive

cereals, fish meal and soybeans. !""# $uture

'nsect farming is taking shape

%s the demand for feed and animal based food rises, producers are alread using bugs as a source of protein in their feed. % report

from2'T Technolog (eviewsas that insects are alread being used directl as a source of protein in food in the market. The also sa

our net meal could directl or indirectl be made with insect, because when ou pick up a bag of tortilla chips or a power bar from the

supermarket, it might be made from insects.

$o insects are going to be the net revolutionar solution for the food and feed crisis of the world. %s the population rises, animal feed from

insect farms could be a cheap and sustainable alternative to conventional feed.

%ntrepreneurs, researchers, and even the &nited 'ations are loo(ing for an animal feed less expensive than the soybeans and

fish meal typically used today. )nsects li(e mealworms and fly larvae, a natural food for wild birds and fish, could be a near*

perfect replacement. ! MIT Technology Review
http://worldwideaquaculture.com/tips-on-feeding-your-fish-reduce-aquaculture-feed-costs/http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140603-are-maggots-the-future-of-foodhttp://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140603-are-maggots-the-future-of-foodhttp://www.technologyreview.com/news/529756/insect-farming-is-taking-shape-as-demand-for-animal-feed-rises/http://www.technologyreview.com/news/529756/insect-farming-is-taking-shape-as-demand-for-animal-feed-rises/http://www.technologyreview.com/news/529756/insect-farming-is-taking-shape-as-demand-for-animal-feed-rises/http://www.technologyreview.com/news/529756/insect-farming-is-taking-shape-as-demand-for-animal-feed-rises/http://worldwideaquaculture.com/tips-on-feeding-your-fish-reduce-aquaculture-feed-costs/http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140603-are-maggots-the-future-of-foodhttp://www.technologyreview.com/news/529756/insect-farming-is-taking-shape-as-demand-for-animal-feed-rises/http://www.technologyreview.com/news/529756/insect-farming-is-taking-shape-as-demand-for-animal-feed-rises/


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4ug based feed will improve livestock production

The +* report b 0ood and %griculture )rgani>ation of the 1.. !0%)# on

edible insects suggests that a bug-based diet will produce bigger and stronger livestock. The report pointed to several studies on fish and

?apanese quail. 'n this eperiment ground crickets replaced up to


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Reducing reliance on captured marine fish proteins and oils for fish feeds is an important goal in aquaculture. But fish are picky about their

feed, and fish nutritionists need to find nutritious feeds, low in fishmeals and oils, that fish will eat.

A Growing Demand

Feed provides the nutrients required for building and sustaining life. If fish dont eat well, they wont grow and thrive. Commercial fish farms

rely on feeds that now include fishmeal as a major source of protein and oil. The protein- and lipid-rich feed pellets used for farmed fish

have traditionally been made in part from small, bony fish species, like menhaden, herring, and capelin.

Pet food and diets for swine and poultry have also traditionally used fishmeal and oil. And as more people around the globe turn to fish as a

source of lean protein, they drive the growth of aquaculture worldwide; aquaculture now supplies half of the seafood produced for human

consumption.

Thus, the demand for proteins and lipids for fish diets has increased while the supply of marine fishmeal has not increased, causing more

pressure and price increases on the limited supply of fishmeal. Replacements for fishmeal and fish oil are needed to support sustainable

aquaculture.

Agricultural Research Service (ARS)aquaculture scientists are working to develop fish feeds that dont include fishmeal. Since November

2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been engaged in the

Alternative Feeds Initiative to accelerate development of other feeds for aquaculture. The initiatives purpose is to identify alternative

dietary ingredients that will reduce the amount of fishmeal and fish oil contained in aquaculture feeds while maintaining

the important human health benefits of farmed seafood.

Developing alternative ingredients that are produced in sufficient quantities to become standard components of diets is a

key research priority, requiring understanding of an ingredients nutritional value, its ability to blend with other ingredients,

its effect on pellet stability, and, of course, its appeal to fish.

Different Fish, Different Food

Different species of fish not only have different nutritional requirements, but they also seem to have different palate

requirements. In Hagerman, Idaho, ARS fish physiologist Rick Barrows is tasked with formulating and manufacturing

feeds for several fish species, including trout, salmon, white seabass, and yellowtail. Barrows and his ARS collaborators

have developed many different formulations for these fish depending on their stage of development, from fry (baby fish) to

adults. Barrows produces the feed himself using a piece of food-manufacturing equipment called a cooking extruder.

My colleagues and I are open to looking at a variety of ingredients for fishmeal replacement, including plants, animal processing products,

and even single-cell organisms like yeast and bacteria, says Barrows. We conduct not only growth studies but also palatability studies to

ensure fish will eat the nutritious feed.

Feeding Salmon

William Wolters, research leader and director of the ARS National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center in Franklin, Maine, is

collaborating with Barrows to develop diets for Atlantic salmon using concentrated plant proteins. Protein levels in most grain and oilseed

sources are low and need to be concentrated to reach the high protein requirements of fish. Current studies are evaluating six experimental

diets, containing combinations of alternative proteins, and a fishmeal control diet being fed to fish in 15 tanks with automatic feeders.

While the studies are still ongoing, it certainly seems that the modern alternative diets work better than previous alternative

diets, says Wolters. When top-performing low-fishmeal feeds in these studies are identified, they will be further evaluated

in two separate studies.

Salmon spend 1 years in the hatchery and then 1 to 2 years growing to adult size. According to the Maine

Aquaculture Association (MAA), there are about 1,300 acres of marine waters leased in the state for aquaculture purposes

600 acres for finfish. Salmon is a large commodity in Maine aquacultureannually producing between 25 and 35 million

pounds.

The issue of substitutes for fishmeal and oil as feed ingredients is a very important one that cuts across many finfish

species, says MAA executive director Sebastian Belle. The work that Dr. Wolters is doing on salmon feeds, in cooperation

with Dr. Barrows, is groundbreaking and, if successful, will be very helpful to domestic growers in meeting the challenge of

limited fishmeal and oil supplies. Worldwide, these supplies are limited, and as aquaculture increases we must find

alternative feed ingredients that satisfy the fishes nutritional needs while resulting in a product with the appropriate

nutritional qualities for humans.

Providing Nutrients for a Hungry Species

Fish nutritionist

Rick Barrows

examines flax oil

that will be

infused into

pellets for

rainbow trout

feed.

(D1429-3)

Fishmeal-free

diet for

California

yellowtail

containing 30

percent

spirulina.

(D1942-1)
http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/main.htmhttp://www.ars.usda.gov/main/main.htmhttp://www.ars.usda.gov/main/main.htm


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In Florida, there is interest in rearing saltwater Florida pompano in low-salinity water in order to diversify production to inland fish farms,

bringing pompano fish stocks closer to consumers. Pompano, an active, fast-growing fish, is one of Floridas highest valued fish. ARS fish

biologist Marty Riche, at the Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Centers facility in Fort Pierce, Florida, is developing

the alternative feeds for this species.

Riche uses various ingredients, like corn gluten meal, soy proteins, and poultry-processing coproducts, to develop feeds containing less

fishmeal.

Pompano are voracious eatersespecially larvae and juveniles, says Riche, so much so that they will eat beyond being satisfied. This

eating behavior is reflected in larval and juvenile growth.

Barrows, Riche, and other ARS researchers are developing a nutrient-availability database of different ingredients that have potential to

replace fishmeal. Nutrient availability describes how much of the ingredient is available to the animal for sustenance. There are currently

17 ingredients in the database for pompano, says Riche.

While fishmeal can largely be replaced without harming fish health, fish oils are not so easily replaced. Plant oils are now being identified

that could possibly replace or substantially reduce the use of fish oils in feed products, says Riche.

Serving Up Algae

Algae may have the potential to replace fishmeal completely in some fish feed and perhaps replace some of the fish oils. Under a

cooperative research agreement with Kent Bioenergy of San Diego, California, Barrows is investigating the usein fish feedof proteincoproducts that result from biodiesel production from algae.

Bioenergy production from algae is a growing industry: A few years ago there were 12 companies producing ethanol this way; last year

there were 100, and 350 are projected to be in existence by the end of 2010.

Barrows and corporate collaborator Carbon Capture Corporation in Imperial Valley, California, are using algae to create fishmeal-free diets

for California yellowtail and white seabass. We are finding that algal feeds could be competitively priced, contain fewer contaminants,

result in fewer nutrients in fish effluent, and be sustainable, says Barrows.

Sometimes palatability is a hurdle when feeding a new type of feed to fish. But, says Barrows, it appears that dried algae as fish feed

actually increases fish appetite. When we formulate a new feed, we test trout first in our palatability studies, since they are aggressive

eaters. If trout eat the feed, we then test it on other species.

This work is pivotal to the feed-manufacturing business. According to Barrows, ARS is exploring ingredients and combinations and

developing gateway formulas to prove the concept of fishmeal-free feeds. This eliminates the risk commercial feed developers would

usually carry. Now feed companies can use ARS fishmeal-free feed as a basis for their own fish-feed formulas.BySharon

Durham,Agricultural Research Service Information Staff.

This research is part of Aquaculture, an ARS national program (#106) described atwww.nps.ars.usda.gov.

Rick Barrowsis with the USDA-ARSSmall Grains and Potato Germplasm Research Unit,Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station, 3059

National Fish Hatchery Rd., Hagerman, ID 83332; (208) 837-9096 ext. 1109.

William Woltersis with the USDA-ARSNational Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center,25 Salmon Farm Rd., Franklin, ME 04634; (207)

422-2713.

Marty Richeis with the USDA-ARSHarry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center, 5600 Hwy. U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce,

FL 34946; (772) 465-2400, ext. 638.

"Finding Alternative Fish Feeds for Aquaculture" was published in theOctober 2010issue of Agricultural Research magazine

(eview

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Abstract

Global production of farmed fish and shellfish has more than doubled in the past 15 years. Many people believe that

such growth relieves pressure on ocean fisheries, but the opposite is true for some types of auaculture. !arming

carnivorous species reuires large inputs of wild fish for feed. "ome auaculture systems also reduce wild fish

supplies through habitat modification, wild seedstoc# collection and other ecological impacts. $n balance, global

auaculture production still adds to world fish supplies% however, if the growing auaculture industry is to sustain

its contribution to world fish supplies, it must reduce wild fish inputs in feed and adopt more ecologically sound

management practices.

%e #o"!d#ide dec!ine of ocean fi$%e"ie$ $toc$ %a$ &"oided i&etu$ fo" "a&id "o#t% in fi$% and $%e!!fi$% fa"in, o"auacu!tu"e. et#een 1987 and 1997, !oa! &"oduction of fa"ed fi$% and $%e!!fi$% (co!!ectie!+ ca!!ed ;fi$%;) o"e t%an dou!ed

in #ei%t and a!ue, a$ did it$ cont"iution to #o"!d fi$% $u&&!ie$1. i$% &"oduced f"o fa"in actiitie$ cu""ent!+ account$ fo"

oe" one-ua"te" of a!! fi$% di"ect!+ con$ued + %uan$. %i$ i$ an i&o"tant $cientific and &o!ic+ i$$ue, and one t%at a!$o add"e$$e$ t%e coon

&e"ce&tion t%at auacu!tu"e i$ an ;add on; to cu""ent ocean fi$% &"oductiit+. an+ &eo&!e e!iee t%at auacu!tu"e &"oduction #i!!

co&en$ate fo" t%e $%o"tfa!! in ocean %a"e$t$ a$ ocean fi$%e"ie$ dete"io"ate, o" t%at fi$% fa"in #i!! "e$to"e #i!d &o&u!ation$ +

"e!iein &"e$$u"e on ca&tu"e fi$%e"ie$. ?e conc!ude t%at t%e co&en$ation a"uent i$ co""ect fo" $oe auacu!tu"e &"actice$

ut unfounded fo" ot%e"$. ?e do not find eidence t%at $u&&o"t$ t%e "e$to"ation a"uent.

@u" ana!+$i$ focu$e$ on auacu!tu"e t"end$ in t%e &a$t 10A15 +ea"$=a &e"iod of %ei%tened eco!oica! and econoic inte"ation

et#een ca&tu"e fi$%e"ie$ and auacu!tu"e actiitie$. ?e !iit ou" di$cu$$ion to finfi$%, ia!e$ and c"u$tacean$, #%ic%

co!!ectie!+ ae u& t%"ee-ua"te"$ of !oa! auacu!tu"e &"oduction + #ei%t, and ec!ude $ea#eed &"oduction1.@cean

fi$%e"ie$ and auacu!tu"e no# $%a"e o" co&ete fo" an+ coa$ta! eco$+$te $e"ice$, inc!udin t%e &"oi$ion of %aitat and

nu"$e"+ a"ea$, feed and $eed (!a"ae) $u&&!ie$, and a$$ii!ation of #a$te &"oduct$.


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?it%in auacu!tu"e;$ #ide die"$it+ of $&ecie$ and &"oduction &"actice$, t#o di$tinct $u$ecto"$ %ae ee"ed du"in t%e &a$t

decade4. %e fi"$t "ou& inc!ude$ coe"cia! fa"$ t%at &"ia"i!+ u$e inten$ie and $ei-inten$ie et%od$ to &"oduce ediu-

to %i%-a!ued cooditie$ fo" "eiona! o" !oa! a"et$. %e ot%e" "ou& enco&a$$e$ fai!+ and coo&e"atie fa"$ t%at "e!+

on eten$ie and $ei-inten$ie &"actice$ to &"oduce !o#-a!ue $&ecie$ fo" %ou$e%o!d $u$i$tence o" !oca! a"et$. Doe

dii$ion$ et#een t%e$e $ecto"$ a"e ecoin !u""ed. Bn %ina and ot%e" &a"t$ of


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o& of &ae

Appropriation of net auatic primary production

ata in t%e &"ecedin $ection indicate t%at feed "eui"eent$ fo" $oe t+&e$ of auacu!tu"e $+$te$ &!ace a $t"ain on #i!d fi$%

$toc$. ut #%at i$ t%e a"eate i&act of fi$% fa"in on ocean fi$%e"ie$ and a"ine "e$ou"ce$> "acin t%e f!o# of net auatic

&"ia"+ &"oduction t%at oe$ t%"ou% auacu!tu"e (i. 1) &"oide$ a f"ae#o" fo" a$$e$$in #%et%e" fa"ed fi$% &"oduction

add$ to !oa! fi$% $u&&!ie$ on a net a$i$.

iu"e 1: !o# c%a"t of ca&tu"e and fa"ed fi$%e"ie$ &"oduct$ f"o auatic &"ia"+ &"oduction.

*ue"$ "efe" to 1997 data and a"e in unit$ of eaton$ (i!!ion et"ic tonne$) of fi$%. %ice" !ine$ "efe" to di"ect f!o#$ of auatic &"ia"+

&"oduction t%"ou% ca&tu"e fi$%e"ie$ and auacu!tu"e to %uan$. %in !ine$ "efe" to indi"ect and ino" f!o#$. 'ed !ine$ indicate neatie

feedac$ on &"oduction a$e.

i% "e$o!ution iae and !eend (73)

o& of &ae

&cological lin#s between auaculture and wild fish stoc#s

%e u$e of #i!d fi$% to feed fa"ed fi$% &!ace$ di"ect &"e$$u"e on fi$%e"ie$ "e$ou"ce$. ut auacu!tu"e can a!$o diini$% #i!d

fi$%e"ie$ indi"ect!+ + %aitat odification, co!!ection of #i!d $eed$toc, food #e inte"action$, int"oduction of eotic $&ecie$ and
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#tophttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#f1http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/fig_tab/4051017a0_F1.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/fig_tab/4051017a0_F1.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B19http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B20http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B21http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B22http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B15http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B15http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B15http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B20http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B22http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B22http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B22http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B23http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B24http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B25http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B26http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#tophttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#tophttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#f1http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/fig_tab/4051017a0_F1.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/fig_tab/4051017a0_F1.htmlhttp://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B19http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B20http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B21http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B22http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B15http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B20http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B22http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B22http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B23http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B24http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B25http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#B26http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v405/n6790/full/4051017a0.html#top


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&at%oen$ t%at %a" #i!d fi$% &o&u!ation$, and nut"ient &o!!ution (i. 2). %e anitude of $uc% effect$ a"ie$ con$ide"a!+

aon auacu!tu"e $+$te$, ut it can e "eat, a$ t%e fo!!o#in ea&!e$ i!!u$t"ate.

iu"e 2: Eco!oica! !in$ et#een inten$ie fi$% and $%"i& auacu!tu"e and ca&tu"e fi$%e"ie$.

%ic !ue !ine$ "efe" to ain f!o#$ f"o auatic &"oduction a$e t%"ou% fi$%e"ie$ and auacu!tu"e to %uan con$u&tion of $eafood.

*ue"$ "efe" to 1997 data and a"e in unit$ of eaton$ (i!!ion et"ic tonne$) of fi$%, $%e!!fi$% and $ea#eed$. %in !ue !ine$ "efe" to

ot%e" in&ut$ needed fo" &"oduction. atc%ed "ed !ine$ indicate neatie feedac$.

i% "e$o!ution iae and !eend (76)

Habitat modification.

und"ed$ of t%ou$and$ of %ecta"e$ of an"oe$ and coa$ta! #et!and$ %ae een t"an$fo"ed into i!fi$% and $%"i& &ond$.

%i$ t"an$fo"ation "e$u!t$ in !o$$ of e$$entia! eco$+$te $e"ice$ ene"ated + an"oe$, inc!udin t%e &"oi$ion of nu"$e"+

%aitat, coa$ta! &"otection, f!ood cont"o!, $edient t"a&&in and #ate" t"eatent. an"oe fo"e$t$ $e"e a$ nu"$e"ie$ t%at

&"oide food and $%e!te" to an+ Fueni!e finfi$% and $%e!!fi$% cau%t a$ adu!t$ in coa$ta! and off$%o"e fi$%e"ie$27, 28, 29, 30C in

$out%ea$t


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of ot%e" #i!d fi$% $uc% a$ cod9, 45, 46, and c%ane$ in t%e di$t"iution, &o&u!ation$ $iGe$ and "e&"oductie $ucce$$ of a"iou$ $ea!

and $eai"d co!onie$47, 48, 49.Dii!a"!+, a $t"on inte"action et#een anc%oeta and $ea i"d and aa! &o&u!ation$ %a$ een

#e!! docuented fo" t%e e"uian ue!!in $+$te50.

Introduction of non-indigenous organisms.

Bn $oe ca$e$, auacu!tu"e affect$ $toc$ of #i!d and fa"ed fi$% t%"ou% io!oica! &o!!ution. . Bnc"ea$in eidence $ue$t$ t%atfa" e$ca&ee$ a+ %+"idiGe #it% and a!te" t%e enetic aeu& of #i!d &o&u!ation$ of


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*e# initiatie$ + oe"nent$ and inte"nationa! dono" aencie$ a"e needed to fu"t%e" encou"ae fa"in of !o# t"o&%ic !ee!

fi$% #it% %e"io"ou$ diet$66, 67,68,69.


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e"%a&$ t%e !a"e$t unno#n fo" ot% t%e &"iate and &u!ic $ecto"$ i$ t%e futu"e aai!ai!it+ of f"e$%#ate" fo" auacu!tu"e

&"oduction. Bnc"ea$in $ca"cit+ of f"e$%#ate" "e$ou"ce$ cou!d $ee"e!+ !iit t%e fa"in of %e"io"ou$ fi$% $uc% a$ ca"&$ and

ti!a&ia. ?it% a o"e indin con$t"aint on f"e$%#ate" $+$te$, t%e"e i$ een o"e &"e$$u"e to dee!o& a"ine auacu!tu"e

$+$te$ t%at a"e eco!oica!!+ and $ocia!!+ $ound.

o& of &ae

Mandate for the future

u!fi!!in auacu!tu"e;$ !on-te" &otentia! to $u&&!eent !oa! fi$% $u&&!ie$ and to &"oide food fo" t%e #o"!d;$ "o#in

&o&u!ation #i!! "eui"e a $%a"ed i$ion et#een t%e &u!ic and &"iate $ecto"$. oe"nent$ can $u&&o"t "e$ea"c% and

dee!o&ent on eni"onenta!!+ enin $+$te$, e!iinate i&!icit $u$idie$ fo" eco!oica!!+ un$ound fi$% &"oduction, and

e$ta!i$% and enfo"ce "eu!ato"+ ea$u"e$ to &"otect coa$ta! eco$+$te$.


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19. au!+, . %"i$ten$en, N. "ia"+ &"oduction "eui"ed to $u$tain !oa! fi$%e"ie$. Nature+4, 255A257(1995). |

25. a!Ge!!, . anaden, '.


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42. o!e, . aut$+, *. %e "o!e of eco$+$te$ fo" a $u$taina!e dee!o&ent of auacu!tu"e.Amio1*, 234 A243(1989). | BDB|

43. ae", . . , ona%an, . , Ltt!e+, J. . , ?a!ton, . u"n$, . . %e inf!uence of food $u&&!+ on t%e "eedineco!o+ of itti#ae$ (/issa tridactyla) in D%et!and. $is1+5, 255A263 (1993). | BDB|

44. i$c%e", J. , aed"ic%, '. . Dinc!ai", . '. $nterecosystem $mpacts o% #orae #ish #isheries(Eco-'e$ea"c% "o"a,eo"ia! Lnie"$it+ of *e#found!and, *e#found!and, 1997).

45. i$!o&, J. '. . %ane$ in *o"t% Dea adoid $toc$. $5S !. 2arine Science5+, 1146A1156 (1996). |


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65. a""eae$, J.

71. o""i$, .


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88. Din%, . '. , %on, N. . , Da$eua",


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%quaculture, otherwise known as Cfish farming,D has been on the rise over the past few decades to meet the soaring demand for seafood. 0armed

marine species currentl constitute over half the seafood consumed worldwide, a number likel to increase as human populations continue to boom

at a rate of over *++ million people per ear. While farming fish and other marine species offers an alternative to overfishing wild populations, it"s not

a perfect sstem and man aspects of aquaculture need increased scientific knowledge and technological advancement to become a viable source

of food production in the coming ears.

&urrent aquaculture methods are rife with environmental risks. The most common tpe of aquaculture is mariculture, the cultivation of marine

organisms in the ocean or within an enclosed section of the ocean. This includes open-net pens and cages that place farmed fish in direct contact

with natural coastal environments. %s with man tpes of farmed animals, aquaculture faces challenges such as disease outbreak, feed production,

and waste removal. @owever, b farming in an open sstem, the challenges go beond the farmed animals themselves and often pose enormous

risks to the surrounding environment. 'nfectious diseases among farmed fish can spread not onl among cultured animals, but can also spread tonative populations, introducing non-native diseases into the environment or facilitating disease through unsanitar conditions in densel packed

farmed fish. 0urthermore, non-native or geneticall modified fishes can escape pens and potentiall outcompete native species, threatening local

fish populations in that area.


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%nother major issue in farming fish sustainabilit involves the use of their feed. The most common fishes people eat also happen to be the oceans

top predator fishes tuna and salmon. These fish are not onl large, but the are also carnivorous and require a diet high in fats. 'n order to feed

and sustain these kinds of farmed fish, other fish species must be harvested from the ocean and therefore face pressures from overfishing. &urrent

methods utili>e Cfish meal,D which combines fish oil , wheat products, and chemicals into pellets that are then fed to cultivated fish. This also poses a

problem, as man carnivorous fish are not designed to metaboli>e large amounts of carbohdrates. The use of fish feed will continue to be an issue

in the struggle for sustainable aquaculture until we find a wa to provide sustainable food to farmed fisheries.

'n an attempt to alleviate the environmental impact of fish farming, some forward thinking aquaculturists have turned to closed-contained sstems,

either solid-wall sstems that float on the water or tank sstems that operate entirel on land and perfecting their methods b successfull growing

fish that are herbivores. 4 separating farmed species from native populations, both sstems protect the environment from accidental fish escapes,limit the spread and transfer of disease and parasites between local and farmed fish, and decrease the amount of fish feed and waste ecreted into

the local ecosstem.

While solid wall closed-containment sstems provide a better alternative to current aquaculture methods, there are still concerns in regards to

sustainabilit and overall environmental impact. )ne of which includes the disposal of discharged water from the sstems and their potential for

contaminants into the eternal environment. %nother barrier to sustaining these sstems is energ, the high cost of pumping water through the

sstem and maintaining the necessar electricit to meet the demands on a commercial scale.

@owever, innovative scientists from the 1niversit of 2arland"s 5epartment of 2arine 4iotechnolog have developed what the call a new

generation of aquaculture technolog, a closed-contained sstem that operates entirel on land and epels >ero waste into the environment. 5r.

=onathan Eohar, one of the leading pioneers in the development of this technolog, is a scientist and professor at the universit"s 'nstitute of 2arine

and 3nvironmental Technolog !'23T# spearheading the project. &ommitted to creating a sustainable, low-impact aquaculture sstem from the

start, Eohar developed a sstem that reccles FF percent of its water, with losses coming from evaporation. 't brings in common household tap

water, adds the necessar salt components, controls temperature and p@, and does it all for each specific species of fish. 't also filters waste

products from the fish through different microbial communities in order to detoif the water and creates methane as a supplemental biofuel.

This land-based alternative aquaculture sstem provides fish a continuous suppl of clean water, reducing the spread of pathogens, disease,

contaminants, and toins. 't also allows for fish to grow more efficientl, as the don"t need to epend energ fighting currents like fish farmed in

open-net pens would likel eperience and can instead convert more energ into biomass. Eohar and his team also addressed one of the biggest

obstacles in aquaculture, getting fish to reproduce at predictable ccles. 4 simulating environmental cues such as altering water temperature,

lighting, and salinit levels, and then providing fish a pellet the created that mimics the hormone to induce natural reproduction, the were able to

get predictable reproductive events.

The fish are clean, the grow faster, and the taste the same as fish ou would eat from the ocean. % nearl self-sustaining sstem, its a

combination of the latest in scientific knowledge and technolog. Eohar"s sstem eliminates man of the detrimental environmental impacts from

open-net pens and cages in coastal aquaculture production. 1ltimatel the goal would be to have such sstems close to large urban areas wherethe demand for fresh fish is ver popular. The environmental footprint of transportation would be drasticall reduced thus reducing the emission of

&). 4ut like all growing industries, sustainable aquaculture still has man challenges to face.


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't will take the continued efforts of scientists, government and polic-makers, and aquaculture industries to come together to solve these remaining

hurdles to a sustainable commercial fish farming. We need to be conscious and aware of the efforts being put forth b scientists such as Eohar to

invest in the advancements in aquaculture that address these major challenges in current fish farming practices. )ur oceans can no longer provide

us with enough fish to feed our rising population. %s m father said in *F:, CWith earth7s burgeoning human populations to feed we must turn to the

sea with new understanding and new technolog. We must farm it as we farm the land.D The future of sustainable fish farming brings the sea to the

land and gives us the opportunit to domesticate and harvest the species we need without directl burdening the ocean we rel upon.

'n an effort to move towards a sustainable future, it will take not onl innovative thinking but also global knowledge to make effective decisions.

%quaculture is a growing, and highl demanded industr. %s the demand continues to grow, sustainabilit must remain a top priorit and important

aspect of future production. While improved technolog is a big step in the right direction, it also requires the demand of the consumer. We are a

part of the solution, and we can demand for a sustainable future.

Warm regards,

?ean-2ichel &ousteau

/resident, )cean 0utures $ociet

with ?acln 2andoske

First Photo:@oll Bohuis, ?ean-2ichel &ousteau and the )cean 0utures $ociet were guests of 2arine @arvest in4ritish &olumbia where the team spent time underwater, filming their farmed %tlantic salmon. G &arrie Honderhaar,)cean 0utures $ociet

Second Photo:The )cean 0utures $ociet epedition team spent time diving in the salmon farms of 4ritish&olumbia. 1nfortunatel man of these farms are etremel detrimental to rich, diverse marine ecosstem of the/acific orthwest. G &arrie Honderhaar, )cean 0utures $ociet

Third Photo:5r. %leandre @onc>ark, researcher at ational 'nstitute for %ma>onia (esearch has developed closedcontained ponds in the heart of the %ma>on and is growing fish from eggs and sperm of some of the favorite%ma>onian fish to consume. G &arrie Honderhaar, )cean 0utures $ociet

Fourth Photo:&losed contained fish farms are the future in fish farming. ?ean-2ichel firml believes this is thedirection we need to invest resources, time and energ. G &arrie Honderhaar, )cean 0utures $ociet

Fifth Photo:While on epedition in the %ma>on, ?ean-2ichel &ousteau and @oll Bohuis learn all about sustainable,closed contained fish farms from 5r. %leandre @onc>ark, researcher at ational 'nstitute for %ma>onia (esearch.


23/33

@ere %le is showing ?ean-2ichel and @oll the eggs of a pri>ed %ma>onian fish, tambaqui, a herbivore that has beeneasil overfished in much of the %ma>on basin. G &arrie Honderhaar, )cean 0utures $ociet

What type of food do fared fish eat!

0armed fish and shrimp eat feed that is speciall formulated to contain all the essential nutrients the need to keep them health and growing and maintain the human

health benefits of seafood consumption. The ingredients are formed into pellets, similar in man was to dr dog food.

There are about I+ essential nutrients needed b all animals. &ategories of essential nutrient include vitamins, dietar minerals, essential fatt acids and essential

amino acids. These are provided b a number of feed ingredients including fish, plant, andprocessing wastemeals and oils.

Did you know?

Farmed shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels do not need to be

fed a manufactured feed. These shellfish are filter feeders and

consume plankton and other particles present in the water.

"top#

$% &o all fared fish eat the sae thing!

o. 0ish nutritional needs var b species. @erbivorous fish eat a feed miture that ma contain plant proteins !e.g., so, corn#, vegetable oils, minerals, and vitamins.

'n the wild, carnivorous fish such as salmon eat other fish. Therefore, feeds for farmed carnivorous fish !as well as man herbivorous fish# include fish oils and proteins

as well as plant proteins, minerals, and vitamins that achieve the nutrition requirements of the fish and offer health benefits to humans. Traditionall, diets for carnivorousfish contained +-


24/33

are proven to benefit heart and cardiovascular health. *mega-!-rich

diets from oily fish such as sardines, herring, trout, and salmon are

associated with a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and other

cardiovascular diseases. +ecent research has shown that *mega-!s may

improve cognitive and neurological health as well. arine fish contain

significantly higher amounts of long-chain omega-! fatty acids than

terrestrial animals or freshwater fish. ee ourSeafood & HealthFAQfor more information.

"top#

(% Where does fisheal and fish oil coe fro!

%bout K of the fishmeal and oil are produced from the harvest of small, open-ocean !pelagic# fish such as anchovies, herring, menhaden, capelin, anchov, pilchard,

sardines, and mackerel. These fish have short life ccles and are capable of rapid reproduction and stock replenishment. The other L is generated from the scraps

produced when fish are processed for human consumption.

The 1nited $tates is a small net producer of both fishmeal and fish oil. The largest 1.$. fishmeal and oil production comes from menhaden caught in the east coast and

Mulf, the second largest component of 1$ production comes from fish processing trimmings produced in %laska"s seafood industr.

Did you know?

Fisheries used for the production of fishmeal and oil are often referred to

as reduction/ or industrial/ fisheries because of the steps used to

process the fish into meal and oil. 0ndustrial fishing is a ma1or

component "23-!34& of global fisheries and a vital livelihood for many

coastal economies. +eduction fisheries mainly are located off the coast

of $eru and 5hile, as well as in the 6orth %tlantic, 6orth ea, and 7altic

ea. 5hile and $eru account for about 83 percent of the global

production. 5areful fisheries management, including uota and catch

limit systems maintains the sustainability of these fisheries over

time. Click here for a table of fisheries management control

measures used i n different regions.

7ecause these reduction fisheries are heavily regulated and the supplyhas remained relatively constant, increased demand for these fish

increases the price for fishmeal and fish oil. %s a result, alternatives are

being sought for use in auaculture feeds.

For more information on shmeal and sh oil benets,

sustainability, production, and quality assurance, visit

thewebsite of the International Fishmeal and Fish OilOrganization.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_seafood_health.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_seafood_health.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.iffo.net/http://www.iffo.net/http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_seafood_health.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_seafood_health.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.iffo.net/http://www.iffo.net/


25/33

"top#

)% What are forage fish used for!

The small, open-ocean fish that are caught in industrial fisheries are consumed directl, used as bait in commercial and recreational fisheries and in lobster traps, used

as ingredients in the feed for aquaculture, pigs, poult, cattle, and pet food; and are converted into fish oil pills.

"top#

*% What are fisheal and fish oil used for!

0ishmeal and fish oil suppl several major industries because the are natural ingredients of high nutritional value. While the have been major ingredients of swine and

poultr feeds for man decades, a growing percentage of these resources have been used to manufacture aquatic feeds. This is due to the worldwide growth of

aquaculture over the past two decades. 5emand for fish oil in the supplement industr also is rising rapidl.

0ishmeal and oil are beneficial components of the diets of farmed fish. 4ecause of this, aquaculture producers have been willing to pa more for these ingredients. %s

well, substitutes to fishmeal and oil have long been developed for terrestrial animal agriculture, while substitutes for aquaculture are just now coming online. With rising

costs for fishmeal and oil, aquaculture producers are developing cost-effective, et healthful alternatives.

Did you know?

+eplacements and alternatives for fish meal in auaculture feeds is an

active and important area of research in which 6*%% other federal

agencies are heavily involved. TheNOAA-USA Alternati!e Feeds

"nitiati!eis identifying alternative dietary ingredients that will reduce the

amount of fishmeal and fish oil contained in auaculture feeds while

maintaining the important human health benefits of farmed seafood.9ltimately, the initiative will lead to the commerciali:ation of

alternatives for some species, which will result in reduced dependence

on marine fish resources by feed manufacturers and seafood farmers

worldwide.

For e'ample, recent research has led to success in the use of the

leftovertrimmingsfrom the fish processing industry. "Fish trimmings

consist of the parts of the fish that are not converted into fillets or steaks

during processing&. Trimmings that used to be waste now can constitute

a significant percent of the raw materials for fishmeal production.

"top#

+% &oes aquaculture consue ore wild fish than isproduced!

When aquaculture is considered as an aggregate industr, the answer is no. Mloball, aquaculture uses about half a metric ton of wild whole fish to produce one metricton of farmed seafood, meaning that aquaculture is a net producerof protein.

0eed conversion ratios !the amount of feed eaten b a fish related to the amount that fish provides for human consumption# var among species, but farmed fish are far

more efficient at converting feed than wild fish or other farmed animals such as cows and pigs.
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#trimmingshttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#trimmingshttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#trimmingshttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#top


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For more information on shmeal and sh oil benets,

sustainability, production, and quality assurance, visit

thewebsite of the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil

Organization.

"top#

,% &oesn-t harvesting pelagic fish have a detriental ipacton the food chain and other anials that depend on the!

0orage fish serve a dual function of contributing to overall ecosstem biomass and supporting global food suppl, the latter through both direct human consumption and

providing feed for terrestrial farming and aquaculture. There is concern that ecosstem function is reduced at current catch levels; addressing this concern happens

through fisher management rules !such as catch quotas# within individual capture fisheries. 0or a discussion of marine resources and sustainabilit, clickhere .

%quaculture is one of man end-uses for harvested forage fish, which also include providing fishmeal in diets of livestock, serving as baitfish for commercial and

recreational fisheries, and increasingl as nutritional supplement and pet food ingredients. 'n the absence of aquaculture, these fish would be consumed b other

industries.

The world suppl of fish from pelagic fisheries has remained relativel constant over the past twent ears at around N million metric tons. These tpes of fish generall

are capable of rapid reproduction and stock replenishment. 2an pelagic fisheries are recogni>ed as successfull regulated and man stocks are fished at levels below

the biomass that achievesa.iu sustainable yield. &areful fisheries management, including quota and catch limit sstems, maintains the sustainabilit of these

fisheries over time.

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/% What is being done to develop alternative feed

ingredients!0uture growth of marine finfish and shrimp aquaculture will need protein and oil sources greater than current fishmeal and fish oil production can satisf. )%%, in

partnership with the 1.$. 5epartment of %griculture !1$5%#, launched the012234S&2 2lternative Feeds Initiativein ++: to accelerate the development of

alternative feeds for aquaculture. The purpose of the %lternative 0eeds 'nitiative is to identif alternative dietar ingredients that will reduce the amount of fishmeal and

fish oil contained in aquaculture feeds while maintaining the important human health benefits of farmed seafood.

'n addition to looking for substitutes, research is eamining how farmed fish utili>e feed, varing formulations, timing dietar needs with developmental stages, and other

strategies to improve feed use efficienc.

1ltimatel, the initiative will lead to the commerciali>ation of alternatives for some species that will result in reduced dependence on marine fish resources b feed

manufacturers and seafood farmers worldwide. The biggest challenges for researchers are to develop alternative ingredients that fish will eat, that suppl the nutrition

fish require to grow, and to make available alternative ingredients that are commerciall viable. &urrent research, including that being done through the012234S&2

2lternative Feeds Initiative,is making great strides toward overcoming these challenges.

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56% What are potential alternatives to feeding fish to fish!

/otential alternative include meals and oils from plants !the greatest source of protein and edible oil on earth#, fish processing waste, east, bugs and other special

meals, and even seaweed. /otential alternative ingredients alread in use include sobeans, barle, rice, peas, canola, lupine, wheat gluten, corn gluten, other various

plant proteins, east, insects and algae. )ther sources that show great promise include waste from bio-energ and bio-plastic production and fish processing waste

!triings#. 0armed seaweed has significant growth potential as a source of food and fiber for both aquaculture feed and human consumption. (esearchers have

been successful in identifing alternatives that grow fish and help maintain the human health benefits of eating seafood.

Did you know?
http://www.iffo.net/http://www.iffo.net/http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/om2/glossary.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/om2/glossary.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/om2/glossary.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#trimmingshttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#trimmingshttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#trimmingshttp://www.iffo.net/http://www.iffo.net/http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.iffo.net/default.asp?contentID=718http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/om2/glossary.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/science/feeds/feeds_homepage.htmlhttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#tophttp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/faqs/faq_feeds.html#trimmings


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The diet of farmed fish is currently not e'clusively based on feeding fish

to fish. ;e understand that herbivorous fish can eat a feed mi'ture that

may contain plant proteins "e.g., soy, corn&, vegetable oils, minerals, and

vitamins. ;e also know that in the wild, piscivorous fish "such as

salmon& eat other fish. )owever you may be surprised to learn that even

farmed piscivorous fish a great deal of the diet includes plant proteins,

oils, minerals, and vitamins as long as they achieve the nutritionreuirements of the fish. %s research e'plores alternatives to replace

fishmeal and oil in the diets of farmed fish, the percentage of fish meal

and fish oil will continue to decrease while still providing the human

health benefits of eating seafood. ;hat do you call a vegetarian salmonven if

the food is $ho$k full of all the essential nutrients you $ould ever need, it isnt worth mu$h if you wont eat it" he bi%%est

$hallen%es to develo!in% alternatives are findin% feed that fish will eat, su!!lyin% the nutrients that fish need to %row, and

makin% alternative in%redients that are $ommer$ially !lausible"

Resear$h is now !rovidin% us with solutions to a$hievin% the same balan$e without sour$in% fora%e fish" (lternatives that are

$urrently bein% e!lored?

'eftover trimmin%s his solution is sim!le, effe$tive, and redu$es waste" rimmin%s $onsists of the leftover bits

that are not used in fillets or steaks in the fish !ro$essin% industry" hese have all the nutritional benefits of fishmeal

and would normally %o to waste" hey are now $ontributin% si%nifi$antly as raw materials for fishmeal !rodu$tion"

#nse$ts and worms he bla$k soldier flyhas !roven to be a %reener3 and $hea!er alternative to fishmeal" With a

hi%h level of !rotein @90-97:A and a %reat di%estibility for salmon in studies @B2"1:A this little fly has be$ome an

area of stron% interest for several lar%e feed firms" he flies are raised on waste food or dis$arded s$ra!s before

bein% !ro$essed into a !rotein meal, so there is little to no environmental dama%e"

( !lant-based diet ;oybeans, barley, ri$e, wheat %luten and many others are already in use" ut these often dont

have all the essential nutrients and must be mied with other feeds" ;oybean has been known to $ause enteritis in

fish" (n interestin% side effe$t of a !lant-based diet is a $han%e in the $olor of the fish meat" #f $onsumers are used to

buyin% red trout fillets, they mi%ht find it a !roblem to now buy a yellow fillet, even if there is no differen$e in taste"

;eaweed -(l%ae has immense !otentialto be$ome a viable alternative" *ast-%rowin% and !a$ked with nutrients,

al%ae is )ui$kly be$omin% a stron% area of interest for the a)ua$ulture industry" ne of the main $on$erns over

fishmeal alternatives is findin% those that $ontain ome%a-Ds" *ish do not !rodu$e ome%a-Ds themselves, they

a$$umulate it in the food they eat" #n fa$t, ome%a-Ds ori%inate with the many ty!es of al%ae that are at the bottom of

the food $hain" his is where al%ae $ould be ama


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Sustainable Fish Feed