Nutriad present at AquaExpo Ecuador
Dr Neil Auchterlonie Unravelling fishmeal
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ll roads led to Rome for IFFO members this October, as the IFFO Annual Conference was held in the eternal city. It was really a fascinating event this year, and the panel discussion in the opening session set the tone for an event that really explored the true value of fishmeal and fish oil as aquafeed ingredients. It was pleasing to hear that the feed companies really respect the nutritional value of these materials and acknowledge that they will continue to be the foundation of fish nutrition for years to come. Our technical session maintained this theme. One presentation, in particular, generated a real buzz which has lasted well beyond the conference. I have since seen it referred to in at least another two external events, including the presentation of a slide or two (fully acknowledged, of course) and heard many conversations about the slides. Professor Brett Glencross of the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, provided a summary of some IFFO-funded project work that he is delivering on behalf of our members. Entitled “Unravelling Fishmeal: What makes this resource so special?”, Brett talked through the availability of feed ingredients for aquafeed, the evolution of feeds in the context of a changing raw material supply base. He has a great presenting style that links detailed technical information with practical application, reflecting his career roles in academia, government and industry. Brett opened with the view that fishmeal free diets are a reality and it is possible to produce salmon without the use of fishmeal in the diet. Nothing startling there, of course, although perhaps a bit controversial for an audience of fishmeal producers, but the real question that flows out of that statement is how to create value from something that may no longer be essential. Having said that, Brett proceeded to talk about essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, and although the descriptor here is a technical definition, and fishmeals are not the only sources of these important materials for fish nutrition, they are incredibly important blocks in the manufacture of suitable feeds with fishmeal known to be a comparatively rich source of both. As Brett mentioned, the formulation of feeds could be regarded as a complex risk management process where several formulation specification constraints including nutrient requirements, raw material tolerances, antinutrient thresholds, processing parameters, legal frameworks, social attitudes, and, not least, price, all need to be taken into account. Further points made emphasised the vitamins and minerals in fishmeal, a subject that we often speak about in our IFFO presentations, and a fascinating slide summarising some of the compounds unique to fishmeal as a feed ingredient that are of much interest in identifying why the material is so beneficial in feeds. Again, fascinating stuff. All this came together in slides that looked at critically appraising performance in aquafeeds. Professor Glencross rounded off with a request for further fishmeal samples from across the IFFO membership, with which to populate our ever-growing database, that provides a library of different fishmeals, the raw material from which they are derived, and the analysis. Samples are being provided for analysis from all over the world and will be characterised for various quality parameters. In this way IFFO hopes to support its members with a growing scientific evidence-base on fishmeal quality for many years to come.
Dr Neil Auchterlonie is the Technical Director at IFFO. He has managed aquaculture and fisheries science programmes in both public and private sectors. Academically he holds a BSc in Marine and Freshwater Biology from Stirling University, a MSc in Applied Fish Biology from the University of Plymouth, and a PhD in Aquaculture (halibut physiology) from Stirling University. 12 | December 2018 - International Aquafeed
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elgium headquartered Nutriad, specialty feed additives producer for shrimp and fish participated in the International AquaExpo 2018 in Guyaquil, Ecuador, organised by the National Chamber of Aquaculture (CNA). The AquaExpo has become a reference in the shrimp industry in the Americas and receives increasing global attention, due to the importance of Ecuador in the global shrimp production. The shrimp sector employs an estimated 200,000 people directly and indirectly in Ecuador. In 2017, the country produced and exported more than 400,000 metric tons of shrimp with industry expecting to grow 4-5 percent in 2018. This year’s event attracted more than 750 attendants, mostly from South America, but also from Europe and Asia. 31 international speakers presented different topics on nutrition, health, genetics, diseases, biosecurity, management practices oriented to the farming of white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. In Ecuador Nutriad is working with Biobac, which distributes their aquaculture specialties. aqua team supported the Biobac booth with focus on programs for aquaculture additives supporting the prevention of shrimp diseases (Sanacore GM, Bactinil Aqua) and species-specific digestive/ metabolic enhancers to reduce feed cost and improve performance in shrimp (Aquagest, Lipogest). Peter Coutteau, Business Unit Director of Aquaculture for Nutriad, commented, “Nutriad has been working with producers in South America in general and in Ecuador for many years. Our philosophy of sharing insights and working together with local professionals has helped us establish a leading position in the aquaculture markets.” Nutriad is an industry leading specialist in the development, manufacture and marketing of animal and aqua feed additives worldwide. Headquartered in Belgium, Nutriad delivers products and services to over 80 countries worldwide through a network of own offices and distributors, supported by four application laboratories and five manufacturing facilities located on three continents.