REPLACEMENT OF FISH MEAL, AS THE DOMINANT SOURCE OF PROTEIN IN AQUACULTURE, WITH ALTERNATIVE NUTRITIONAL COMPONENTS

Abstract

Reduction and possible elimination of fish meal and fish oil from the nutrition of aqua cultural fish species is one of the priorities in nowadays research. Due to the growing needs for fish for human consumption and the cost of fishmeal respectively, the global trend of excessive fishing has up to now become a serious problem. Also, as global fish farming continues to increase, the need for good and cost-effective protein sources is increasingly important. Fish meal is still an essential ingredient in diets for carnivorous fish and fish meal availability in sufficient quantities for the future farming is questioned. Replacement of fishmeal in fish feed will lead to the commercialization of the alternatives, marine fish resources will be less exploited by the manufacturers and seafood farmers worldwide. The paper provides a review of scientific research on alternative dietary components used as a substitute in fish meal for various fish species and other aquaculture organisms.

Keywords

• fish meal
• reduction
• aquaculture
• feeding
• alternatives