► Description: |
This Brief discusses potential
alternative sources for feeds in
aquaculture fish diet, and explains that
the future of aquaculture’s development is
dependent on the costs of fishmeal and
fish oil. Considering that the increasing
costs of traditional feeds constrain this
development, research is looking into
alternatives, which can ensure adequate
nutrition for animals’ growth. This work
reviews the use of alternative plant,
microbial and insect protein sources,
evaluating in particular their impact on
growth, nutrient digestibility, fillet
quality traits and sensorial perception in
the most important farmed marine and
freshwater fish species. The Brief
specifically summarizes the pros and cons
of plant oils from oilseeds, which can on
the one hand be a sustainable substitute
for fish oil, but which are on the other
hand less rich in omega-3 long-chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids. The feeding
might therefore result in an undesired
reduced nutritional value of the flesh of
farmed fish. The authors also explore the
possible use of fishery discards as
potential aquaculture feed source. Since
the landing of by-catch will with the new
Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) become
obligatory (instead of simply returning it
to the sea, often dead), suitable uses of
what must not be used for human
consumption can be investigated. The
authors give an outlook whether this might
become a sensible alternative to improve
the management of discards and create more
sustainable fisheries. The Brief also
addresses the issues of additives to
aquafeeds, such as vitamins, minerals, and
antioxidants, but also immunostimulants
and enzymes. The authors discuss which
effects these additives may have on fish
growth, welfare, reproduction and health
status in aquacultures.
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