Feed & Additive Magazine Issue 3 April 2021

SPECIAL STORY FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2021 63 WHY AQUACULTURE? Aquaculture is described as the fastest-growing area of animal food production. Especially the in- crease in the world population and the demand for healthy nutrition are the main factors in this growth. Approximately half of the fish consumed worldwide today are grown in these artificial environments. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately 32 percent of the world's natural fish stocks are over-exploited and stocks are rapidly depleted. Fish farms are considered a solution to this problem caused by overfishing. In other words, the continuity of the species, which are in danger of extinction due to many reasons, from improper fish- ing to climatic changes, is ensured by fish farms. Also, it is stated that some species especially have less nutritional needs than other livestock. While some data suggest that it takes roughly half a kilo of feed to produce a kilo of farmed fish, it takes near- ly two kilograms of feed to produce half a kilo of chicken, about three kilograms per half a kilogram of pork, and about seven kilograms for beef. This means producing an animal protein that can meet the needs of nine billion people by using the world's resources much more efficiently. TOP PROBLEMS IN AQUACULTURE In addition to the advantages it offers, aquacul- ture continues to be a concern at some points. The biggest concern is pollution from fish farms. Waste feed, feces, urea, and other wastes are considered to be important environmental problems in fish farm- ing performed both in cages/nets in open seas and closed areas such as pools, tanks. This problem comes back to fish farms as a source of disease. Various disease cases experienced in different countries in the past years even caused the industry in the region to disappear in some fish species. In addi- tion, antibiotics and similar drugs used for the survival of fish in these environments also cause problems. The detection and prevention of this pollution caused by fish farms, whether in open seas or closed areas and the protection of water quality and habitat remain the most important problems for the indus- try. The industry is looking for ways to produce fish without spreading disease and pollution and to re- duce its environmental footprint. Another problem is what to feed the fish. Fish farms depend heavily on marine resources in terms of feed. It will be increasingly difficult for the industry to sup- ply feed ingredients, especially fish meal and fish oil, in the long term. According to estimates, the industry uses about 70 percent of the global fishmeal supply and 90 percent of fish oil. Cereals, another feed ingre- dient, are also extensively used directly in human nu- trition. Therefore, the use of cereals directly for feed (except by-products such as pulp) is not supported. However, promising alternatives to this are in- creasing rapidly. Recently, one of the most discussed alternatives is insects. Another alternative is algae. Research in both areas is intensifying and production is becoming widespread. Today, intensive studies continue on subjects such as breeding new species in fish farms, making production economical, feeding, increasing body resistance, vacci- nation and reducing the environmental footprint. References : 1. Is it possible to achieve sustainable growth with limited marine resources?; Dr. David Nickell, Vice President Sustainability & Business Solutions-DSM Nutritional Products, Animal Nutrition & Health; Feed & Additive Magazine Issue 2, March 2021 2. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020, Food and Agriculture Organization of the Unit- ed Nations (FAO), http://www.fao.org/ 3. Aquaculture Market by Environment (Marine Wa- ter, Fresh Water, and Brackish Water), and Fish Type (Carps, Mollusks, Crustaceans, Mackerels, Sea Bream and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2027; Allied Market Research; https:// www.alliedmarketresearch.com/ 4. How to Farm a Better Fish; By Joel K. Bourne, Jr.; National Geographic; https://www.nationalgeographic. com/foodfeatures/aquaculture/