Complete or Partial Substitution of Fish Meal Derived Protein as an Ingredient in Aquafeeds
Published:February 10, 2017
By:Louis R. D’Abramo
Department of Biology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama USA
Over the past twenty years, much success has been realized in the efforts to reduce the amount of fish meal in aquafeeeds in favor of other feedstuffs. Demand of fish meal as a principal source of protein has decreased due to many successful achievements, but is poised to increase as attention is being directed to the farming of more carnivorous species. A variety of approaches to achieve total substitution or reduction exist and are influenced by feeding habits and whether indirect sources of nutrients can be effectively coordinated into farming practices to meet protein requirements.
The ideal fish meal substitution is a high protein content, sustainable feedstuff that supplies essential amino acids qualitatively, quantitatively, and in the proper proportions, using lysine as a reference essential amino acid. The goal is to avoid providing excessive amounts of a protein source as a strategy to meet the requirements of essential amino acids. The energy to process potential feedstuffs to principally replace fish meal should minimally contribute to the environmental footprint and be cost-effective. Strategies to replace fishmeal and characteristics for evaluating potential are presented.
Fish meal addition in the feed formulation improves attractability apart from nutritionl point of view. Partial replacement may be possible if it is acceptable for farmers. I have formulated and produced balanced aminoacid feed by partial replacement of fish meal, due to less fish aroma it is not acceptable to aquacultuarists. It needs practical study and extension work
Algael protein both directly harvested from ocean and cultivated are the least cost and similar quality to fish meal. It can even replace the fish meal completely.