September 8, 2009 | vol. 106 | no. 36 | 15103–15110 | Rosamond L. Naylor,1, Ronald W. Hardy,2 Dominique P. Bureau,3 Alice Chiu,4 Matthew Elliott,4 Anthony P. Farrell,6 Ian Forster,6 Delbert M. Gatlin,6, Rebecca J. Goldburg,6, Katheline Hua,6 and Peter D. Nichols1
The article reviews the trends in fishmeal and fish oil use in industrial aquafeeds, highlighting reduced inclusion rates but increased total use due to higher demand for fish high in long-chain omega-3 oils. The ratio of wild fisheries inputs to farmed fish output has decreased to 0.63, but remains high for Atlantic salmon. Various plant- and animal-based alternatives are available or under development, with single-cell organisms showing promising potential. The transition to alternative feedstuffs could be accelerated with appropriate economic and regulatory incentives, potentially reducing aquaculture's pressure on wild fisheries. The authors emphasize the importance of improving feed efficiencies and substituting nonfish ingredients to reduce the sector's dependence on marine resources. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities in using terrestrial plant-based proteins, lipids, and seafood by-products, as well as the role of consumer acceptance and policy interventions in promoting sustainable aquaculture practices.The article reviews the trends in fishmeal and fish oil use in industrial aquafeeds, highlighting reduced inclusion rates but increased total use due to higher demand for fish high in long-chain omega-3 oils. The ratio of wild fisheries inputs to farmed fish output has decreased to 0.63, but remains high for Atlantic salmon. Various plant- and animal-based alternatives are available or under development, with single-cell organisms showing promising potential. The transition to alternative feedstuffs could be accelerated with appropriate economic and regulatory incentives, potentially reducing aquaculture's pressure on wild fisheries. The authors emphasize the importance of improving feed efficiencies and substituting nonfish ingredients to reduce the sector's dependence on marine resources. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities in using terrestrial plant-based proteins, lipids, and seafood by-products, as well as the role of consumer acceptance and policy interventions in promoting sustainable aquaculture practices.