October 19, 2014 — The following was released by the Gulf Seafood Institute:
World aquaculture is at a crossroads regarding one of its largest issues, fish in for fish out ratios. Approximately one third of the world’s fish catch is used to produce fishmeal and fish oil used as feedstock in the aquaculture industry according to World Wildlife Fund. An international team of scientists and fishermen in the Southern Gulf of Mexico are working to find environmentally safe solutions to the growing need for aquaculture feedstock.
“Phycology is the scientific study of algae,” explained Karen Tal a project leader for Fycology who oversees branding and marketing. “Our team is working on developing breakthrough biotechnology advances in the field of aquaculture. The importance of creating a sustainable fish feed is the first step in establishing sustainable fish for our consumption and the preservations of our oceans. After all it is clear our survival is dependent on the survival of the oceans and the life it contains.
Fish feed is one of the most important items on any aquaculture farm. Quality protein is vital to the quality of the feed, and fishmeal and even soy are unsustainable options. If the quality of the feed is not ideal, then various health problems, as well as growth complications, can result in the fish.
Industry Relies on Fishmeal and Oil
In recent years the industry’s reliance on fishmeal and fish oil has decreased due to increased use of plant-based feed from major agricultural crops like soybean and corn. However, with rising and volatile commodity prices fueled by pressures on agricultural land use and a changing climate, reliance on such crops can prove risky and expensive for the aquaculture industry.
According to Tal, Fycology was established in order to create a sustainable algae fish feed for aquaculture using an alternative such as algae.
Backed in part by the Mexican government, and with research being done at two Mexican universities, the project’s goal is to reduce reliance on captured marine fish proteins and oils for feed. Studies have shown that animals and fish consuming consistent, high quality food sources grow at a healthy rate and contain better overall nutrition, generating higher quality food for humans.
Read the full story at the Gulf Seafood Institute