INTERVIEW 66 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2026 Alex Makol, Global Product Manager for Aquaculture Health and Farm Care at Adisseo: “In aquaculture, survival rates, harvest volumes, and growth curves are essential KPIs; however, they only tell part of the story. These KPIs are ultimately the final proof of performance and the basis on which the success of any product, including ours, is measured. However, health challenges do not always manifest as mortality, clear clinical signs, or sudden drops in KPIs that allow us to react in time. Many health alterations are silent.” In aquaculture, success is often measured by survival rates, harvest volumes, and growth curves, yet these metrics tell only part of the story. Many underlying, “invisible” factors—such as chronic lowgrade inflammation, oxidative stress, compromised gut integrity, and behavioral stress caused by handling, stocking density, or water quality fluctuations—can silently limit animals’ ability to express their full genetic and nutritional potential. Even when overt disease or mortality is avoided, subclinical health issues divert energy from growth, reduce feed efficiency, and ultimately impact overall productivity and profitability. Alex Makol, Global Product Manager for Aquaculture Health and Farm Care at Adisseo, emphasizes the importance of shifting from a reactive, treatment-focused approach to proactive health management. By strengthening key tissues and physiological systems, supporting gut functionality, and mitigating both visible and hidden stressors, producers can unlock higher performance, more predictable growth, and greater feed conversion efficiency. Functional feed additives play a critical role in this strategy, providing targeted solutions that enhance immunocompetence, resilience, and overall robustness. In this interview, Makol explains how integrated, evidence-based nutritional strategies allow aquaculture producers to maximize output, reduce variability, and achieve more sustainable and economically efficient production. In aquaculture, success is often measured by survival rates, harvest volumes, and growth curves. However, you believe that addressing these alone is not enough. In your view, what are the “invisible” factors that prevent animals from reaching their full genetic and nutritional potential? In aquaculture, survival rates, harvest volumes, and growth curves are essential KPIs; however, they only tell part of the story. These KPIs are ultimately the FROM SURVIVAL TO OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE: HOW HEALTH DRIVES AQUACULTURE SUCCESS
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