March | April 2010

Feature title: Aquafeeds - ready to take the plunge

The International magazine for the aquaculture feed industry

International Aquafeed is published five times a year by Perendale Publishers Ltd of the United Kingdom.All data is published in good faith, based on information received, and while every care is taken to prevent inaccuracies, the publishers accept no liability for any errors or omissions or for the consequences of action taken on the basis of information published. ©Copyright 2009 Perendale Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owner. Printed by Perendale Publishers Ltd. ISSN: 1464-0058

Alternative – a buzzword in popular culture - aptly describes the current situation with regards to

ingredients in aquafeed production. Dwindling supplies of fishmeal present one of the foremost challenges for the global aquaculture industry today and the search is on for new sources that can replace fishmeal’s nutritional quality, without compromising on animal performance.

Addressing the topic of sustainable solutions for aquafeed, the Asian aquafeed conference, held in conjunction with the Livestock Asia expo in Kuala Lumpur last October, presented insights into optimising aquafeeds, balancing profit and performance in aquaculture and new strategies and alternative ingredients for the industry.

Growth marketsHigher incomes in the developing world,

a perception of aquaculture products as premium and dietary changes have fuelled the boom in aquaculture production. The availability of fishmeal and other protein sources has also ignited the growth of the relatively young industry in the animal pro-tein sector. Aquaculture’s share of fishmeal consumption has increased over the years vis-à-vis terrestrial animal species.

Accounting for the bulk of the global increase in demand for aquafeeds is Asia.

This is driven largely by China and the huge potential in its 20 million tonne fresh-water fish segment. India, another rapidly

growing aquaculture market, is also witness-ing a significant rise in aquafeed demand as producers shift from single component farm-based feeds to formulated and commercial feeds and species diversification.

In Southeast Asia, a wide variety of local-ly available protein sources such as copra, soy, fishmeal and canola has supported the region’s aquaculture industry. From 2000 to 2007, while world aquaculture produc-tion rose 27 percent and Asian production increased 64 percent, Southeast Asia saw growth of 143 percent during that period.

Out of 25 million tonnes of aquafeed produced in 2008, it was estimated that four million tonnes came from Southeast Asia. At current rates of aquaculture growth, the potential for aquafeed is vast.

In Latin America, the proximity to the North American market and increasing domestic demand are fueling the aquacul-ture industry, particularly for salmonids.

Turkey and Egypt are strong players in the marine fish and tilapia sectors respec-tively with young and growing populations.

While options for alternative raw materi-als are not readily available in North America and Europe, new technologies that help to increase feed utilisation and reduce anti-nutritional factors will continue to shape the development of the global aquafeed business.

Also, the opening of ‘new markets’ in the West - countries where aquatic products are not featured in the traditional diet – and the receptiveness of ‘new species’ such as tilapia in Europe and North America, are new areas of development for aquaculture producing countries.

Protein alternativesAs aquaculture continues to grow, the

replacement of fishmeal with alternative protein sources is becoming a pivotal trend for the global industry. Volatile supply and escalating costs of production for fishmeal and fish oil, and falling prices for some aquatic products like P vannamei shrimp, are pushing the search for new ingredients in aquafeed.

Sustainable fish production also dictates that no more than one kg of fish is used to produce one kg of fish. The sustainable development of the aquaculture industry would hinge increasingly on the ability to utilise protein replacement sources effec-tively in terms of costs, availability, and species performance.

As the industry weans itself off fishmeal, usage of soybean meal in aquaculture has risen steadily.

The rise in seafood consumption and overall growth in meat demand paints a bullish picture for soybeans, with increased production in grower countries and greater applications of the meal in animal and aquatic feed.

Although current proportions in aquafeed are still smaller compared to feed for ter-restrial animals, it is estimated that vegetable meals and concentrates will constitute about 75 percent of protein requirements in aqua-feeds by 2015. It is imperative in aquafeed to use only high quality, well processed soybean or other vegetable meal that is consistent with a good amino acid profile.

However, replacing fishmeal with alter-natives is a tricky task.

by Daphne Tan, Communicating Agriculture

Aquafeedsready to take the plunge

34 | InternatIonal AquAFeed | March-april 2010 March-april 2010 | InternatIonal AquAFeed | 35

F: Aquafeed

Fishmeal is a good source of amino acids and contains highly unsaturated lipid and fatty acids (EPA, DHA), nutrients important to the growth of all fish species.

In comparison, vegetable protein sources have more than 15 different anti-nutritional effects and when used in substitution, affect the palatability of aquaculture diets. Fishmeal is still preferred by producers as it is con-sidered the most natural and best feed raw material. While land animal proteins and by-products offer good nutritional value for farmed fish, market acceptance remains a challenge.

But in the long term, experts believe that perceptions will change in the face of science-based research and solutions. For example, the salmon industry had achieved protein retention levels of 45 percent and above by the year 2000, compared with 22-25 percent in the 1980s, setting a positive precedence for new possibilities in the ingredient composi-tion of aquafeed for all species.

Less protein, better performance

Feeding fish is not simply about a spe-cific ingredient like fishmeal but a full pack of nutrients that addresses the species’ growth needs. The current trend of for-mulating diets based on digestible amino acid levels, rather than on a least cost basis, allows nutritionists to tap on a wider range of ingredients and not depend on any one protein source.

Applying the ‘Ideal Protein Concept’ – the level of protein when ingested by the animal that provides all necessary amino acids – leads to an overall reduction in crude protein intake without impairing growth and performance. This also lowers the amount of nitrogen excreted in animal waste.

The inclusion of energy sources helps improve protein utilisation in aquafeed.

Enzymes that promote digestion or supplements such as probiotics that

enhance the utilisation of nutrients are also some trends in strategies to improve feed utilisation. Palatability issues arising from fishmeal substitution can also affect feeding and growth and could be tackled with the use of pal-latants and attractants.

Feeding strategies should also take into consideration the stage of growth of the species. Nutrient requirements for each species and stage of growth should also be thoroughly understood, so as to avoid over- or under-formulation. At the same time, reducing feed during the fry stage could result in higher FCR and increased fat deposit.

With the development of feed formula-tion strategies based on nutri-ent availabilities, costs are more closely linked to performance of the species rather than the cost of raw materials per se. Costs can be measured in terms of gain in FCR or the composition of the fillet yield – meat gain as opposed to fat gain. Improved feed extrusion t e c h n o l o g i e s are also paving the way forward for the aquafeed industry. Rather

than shunning alternative ingredients, the embrace of new technologies and feeding strategies would pave the way forward for the aquafeed industry.

About the author:Daphne Tan is a Singapore-based free-lance journalist and analyst for feed and feed related issues. She can be contacted on the details below:a*scribe – Communicating Agriculture Email: a.scribe.ag@gmail.com

34 | InternatIonal AquAFeed | March-april 2010 March-april 2010 | InternatIonal AquAFeed | 35

F: Aquafeed

Table 1: Percentage of Production by Area (World, Asia, SEA: crustaceans, fishes [fresh, marine, diadromous]) 2000-2007

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

World vs Asia 25% 21% 18% 17% 12% 9% 6% 3%

Asia vs World 75% 79% 82% 83% 88% 91% 94% 97%

World vs SEA 91% 90% 90% 88% 86% 85% 84% 82%

SEA vs World 9% 10% 10% 12% 14% 15% 16% 18%

Asia vs SEA 88% 87% 87% 86% 84% 83% 83% 82%

SEA vs Asia 12% 13% 13% 14% 16% 17% 17% 18%

Source: FAO Fisheries Statistics 2009

16-17 June 2010: Two day technical conference18 June 2010: Visit to fish farm

EAS, EATiP, FEAP, GAA andHGK support confirmed!

OFFSHOREMARICULTURE2010 HILTON IMPERIAL HOTEL

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

For further informationplease visit: www.offshoremariculture.comMercator Media Limited, The Old MillLower Quay, Fareham, Hants PO16 0RA, UKTel: +44 (0)1329 825335 Fax: +44 (0)1329 825330

europeanaquaculturesociety

Supported by:

HGK, Grupacija akvakultureMedia sponsors:

Entitled ‘Exploring the progress and prospects for offshore aquaculture in European and international waters’, the 2010 Offshore Mariculture Conference will be the third in this series ofsuccessful events aimed at growing offshore fish farming businesses and is again supported bythe European Aquaculture Society. In addition EATiP, FEAP, GAA and HGK, Grupacija akvakulture,the aquaculture affiliation of the Croatian Chamber of Economy (and member of FEAP) have allpledged their support.The following sessions will be included in the programme:

• Policy, legal framework and key research updates• Practical offshore farming operation• Spatial planning and monitoring• Spotlight on Croatia• Ecological monitoring and future technologies• European and International case studies• Manufacturers’ updates

The Conference will be held at the Hilton Imperial Hotel, Dubrovnik, Croatia and a networking dinnerwill be held at the fabulous Revelin Fortress overlooking the Old City Harbour on the first evening.

Chairman confirmed:Arne Fredheim from

CREATE/Sintef

1OMC_90x132_12.02.10_Offshore Mariculture 12/02/2010 09:14 Page 1

Me r c a t o r M e d i a , o r g a n i s e r o f t h e Offshore Mariculture

Conference 2010, is pleased to announce that the leading i ndus t r y a s soc i a t ions w i l l be suppor t i n g t he 2010 Conference.

The European Aquaculture Techno logy & I nnova t ion Platform (EATiP), the Federation o f Eu ropean Aquacu l tu re Producers (FEAP), the Global

Aquaculture All iance (GAA) and HGK, Grupacija akvakul-ture , the aquaculture affi l ia-tion of the Croatian Chamber of Economy (and member of FEAP) have all pledged their suppor t to the Conference that wi l l be held from the

June 16-18, 2010 at the Hilton Imper ial Hotel, Dubrovnik, Croatia.

"Both EATiP (European Aquaculture Technology & Innovation Platform) and FEAP (Federation of European Aquaculture Producers) are pleased to suppor t the Offshore Mariculture Conference s ince events such as these give fish farmers t h e o p p o r t u -n i t y t o l e a r n from both indus-t r i a l and RTD

exper ts about relevant technological advances, to rece ive in formed updates on key research and policy issues and

to be able to network with col leagues from across the sector," says Cour tney Hough, general secretary of FEAP and EATiP.

As wel l as promoting the event to their members and therefore rais ing awareness of the event and its presti-gious speakers, it also means that members of any of the above assoc ia t ions wi l l be en t i t l ed to a 10 pe rcen t d i s count o f f the de lega te rate . European Aquaculture Society members will also be ent i t led to the discount as the EAS have continued their suppor t f rom the prev ious even t he ld i n A l i c an te i n 2008.

The technical conference will be held on the June 16 and 17 June with a visit to a fish farm on the June 18, 2010. The Conference Networking Dinner will take place on the evening of Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at the fabulous Revelin For tress which was bui lt in 1462 to provide protection to the Eastern City Gate Place . Over look ing the Old Ci ty Harbour, the Revelin's terrace offers what are probably the best views of the Old City and its famous Harbour.

More inforMation:Offshore MaricultureTel: +44 1622 820622Website: www.offshoremariculture.com

Industry support strengthens for 2010 OSM Conference!

The full programme will be released shortly, sessions will include:

• Policy, legal framework and key research updates

• Practical offshore farming operation

• Spatial planning and moni-toring

• Spotlight on Croatia• Ecological monitoring and

future technologies• European and International

case studies

iN THE NEWSYour news could feature in our pages

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10 | InternatIonal AquAFeed | March-april 2010 March-april 2010 | InternatIonal AquAFeed | 11

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