SPECIAL STORY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2023 57 Using algal oil in aquafeed provides a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, addressing one of the main limiting factors to the growth of the aqua industry while also reducing its reliance on marine ingredients. In recent decades, there has been an increasing demand for fish as a key source of protein in human diets with an ever greater proportion of fish being supplied through aquaculture. However, the aquaculture industry faces a huge challenge due to the scarcity of fish oil. Currently, the world’s limited amounts of wild capture fisheries are insufficient to provide the required essential fatty acids for aquafeed, and demand for farmraised fish is set to continue rising. This article reviews the nutritional importance of Omega-3 fatty acids in fish and humans and how using algal oil as an alternative source of Omega-3 can play an important role. IMPORTANCE OF OMEGA-3S FOR FISH AND CONSUMERS The Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential for human health. They are known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and are important contributors to a healthy and nutritious diet. Their primary sources are oily fish, including Atlantic salmon, which is rich in both EPA and DHA. Omega-3 fats are also equally important for fish health. However, they are not produced in sufficient quantities by the fish themselves and need to be supplemented in aquaculture feeds. The Atlantic salmon industry must continue to grow to meet the increasing global demand for healthy seafood. However, the overuse of marine resources needed to produce fish oil, the original lipid source in salmon aquafeeds, has become a bottleneck. Vegetable oils are used as alternative lipid sources, but these are rich in Omega-6 and deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids. Because of this, EPA and DHA levels in salmon fillets have decreased by more than 50% in recent decades, which is detrimental for both farmed salmon and humans alike. Vegetable oils in feed also unbalance the optimum Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio that is essential for fish and human health. the increasing ratio of Omega-6 fatty acids to Omega-3 creates a dietary imbalance that can negatively affect fish performance and welfare. In fact, research suggests too much Omega-6 compared to Omega-3 can reduce the benefits of the latter. Microalgal oil from Veramaris is a viable alternative ingredient for fish feed owing to its richness in EPA ALTERNATIVE AQUAFEED SOURCES CAN MEET OMEGA-3 DEMAND Ian Carr Senior Director, Global Business Development Veramaris
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