Heliyon (Sep 2022)

Advantages and disadvantages of using more sustainable ingredients in fish feed

  • Beate Zlaugotne,
  • Jelena Pubule,
  • Dagnija Blumberga

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 9
p. e10527

Abstract

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As the population grows, demand for food increases. Fish is considered to be one of the most efficient sources of protein. But as demand increases, we need to think about the efficient and sustainable fish feed. There is a need to replace existing feed ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil with more sustainable sources of protein and oil. In 1990, fish feed consisted mainly of fishmeal and fish oil, but today’s fish feed is dominated by vegetable protein and vegetable oil. Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives is concluded that previously used fish feed ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil are not the most efficient, sustainable, and economically viable resources. The comparison shows why the composition of fish feed has shifted from 1990 to 2020 towards the use of plant resources in fish feed, as plant resources are more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable.

Keywords