32 Feed Technology
Omega-3 futures in aquafeeds An In focus workshop analysed gaps between science and practices and use of omega-3 stocks more efficiently production is actually harvested: seafood trimmings have huge uncaptured value.” Opportunities for by-products vary greatly globally and the industry needs to carefully determine what goes to feed or direct human consumption.
The IFFO In Focus workshop was held in Stirling, Scotland. From left, front row: IFFO’s Veronique Jamin, Communications and External Relations Director and Petter Johannessen, Director General, Nina Liland and Bente Ruyter. Second row: Philip Calder, Brett Glencross and Richard Newton. Third row: Enrico Bachis and Monica Betancor.
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unique group of academic and industry experts in aquaculture, fish and human nutrition gathered for an IFFO In Focus workshop on May 31 in Stirling, Scotland to analyse the knowledge gaps in the omega-3 story. They covered its role in fish and human nutrition, to what and where the potential growth is, and how we can use omega-3 stocks more efficiently. Discussions focussed on the gap between science and practice, such as the inclusion rates, which are often determined in laboratory instead of farm conditions. Opening the event, IFFO’s Dr Brett Glencross stated that the industry needs to look beyond flesh/fillet omega-3 targets, exploring what the actual requirements are for both fish and humans and how we communicate this.
Mapping the global supply of omega-3s and the potential for more
Looking at the reality and potential omega-3 supplies, Dr Richard Newton, University of Stirling presented a systems approach to quantify the global omega-3 production and utilisation pathways, the natural loss in nature and the loss in processing along the path to human consumption. In fisheries, loss can be reduced by improving the natural pathways through fisheries management. However, the greatest potential lies within aquaculture and fish processing, which currently sees a huge loss of potential by-products. “There are a lot of inefficiencies in the value chain for most species, although in aquaculture, gains are being made in terms of nutrition, feed delivery and genetics, for some species. Only a small fraction of EPA and DHA from net fish November/December 2023 AQUA Culture Asia Pacific
Looking at the potential of by-products across different regions, Newton presented findings from a IFFO development database (2013), looking at pathways, use and waste. The database showed the potential for an additional 2.5 million tonnes of fishmeal globally from by-products and this figure is expected to have increased since the data was last gathered in 2013. If all seafood was processed, the extra potential was calculated at 9.7 million tonnes, which again shows the huge waste level within the current food system. An example of this potential is that retention of omega-3s is lower in the fish fillet, with most being left in the ‘waste’. However, the data does not account for the increasing use of by-products for direct human consumption, or in pet food . More data gathering is needed on this potential and omega-3 retention in various fractions to allow the industry to better map and utilise the various products. Identifying these marine ingredient sources and reducing loss is essential for the growth of aquaculture, which is accelerating, both in Asia and Africa. In China, seafood consumption is growing with people eating more protein and more energy dense food and reducing consumption of cereals. The market will not always be the best driver to improve nutrition and resources need to be used in a strategic way. There is potential for species such as tilapia and grass carp, which efficiently convert alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Gains are being made in terms of nutrition, feed delivery and genetics. However, inefficiencies remain across the value chain for most species and more assessments are required to identify the potential and deliver this change.
Dr Richard Newton, University of Stirling noted only a small fraction of EPA and DHA from net fish production is actually harvested.
“There is a push to apply a nutritional index to life cycle assessment as an additional impact category. A big topic presently is how to measure the impacts of food from a nutritional perspective.”
