In this month’s issue of Feed & Additive Magazine, we focus on a rapidly growing sector that’s becoming increasingly important for our world – aquaculture. While the world population increases, aquaculture plays a crucial role in meeting our protein needs and reducing the negative impacts of wild fishing and overfishing on the ecosystem.
In addition, aquaculture contributes significantly to local and national economies. It creates employment opportunities, supports coastal communities and stimulates economic growth. From shrimp farms in Southeast Asia to salmon cages in Norway, aquaculture draws attention as a thriving industry.
The fast growth and success of this sector is driving the rapid development of the fish segment in the feed industry. The feed industry is focusing heavily on sustainability in aquafeeds. Especially fish meal and fish oil are important research topics in this field. Historically, aquafeeds were often based on fishmeal and fish oil from wild-caught fish. But the industry is shifting towards more sustainable alternatives. Researchers are developing feeds made from plant-based proteins, algae and insect larvae. These options are crucial to reduce pressure on marine resources and lower the ecological footprint of aquaculture.
Another trend in aquafeeds is functional feeds. These specialty feeds are highlighted by their ability to improve fish health, immunity and stress tolerance. Ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics and immunostimulants are being added to aquafeeds to optimize performance and reduce the risk of disease.
Precision nutrition is gaining importance in fish nutrition as it is in other animals’ nutrition. Today, customized nutrition diets based on species, life stage and environmental conditions are being adopted more intensively. This approach is having a notable impact on optimizing growth, minimizing waste and making efficient use of resources.
You can find the latest developments in aquaculture nutrition, new approaches to feeding and much more in this month’s issue.
Enjoy your reading!
