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Aqua Feed Extrusion Conference: VIV Bangkok, March 13, 2019
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Dr Neil Auchterlonie Essential nutrients
t IFFO we talk often, and extensively, about the nutritional contribution that is provided via marine ingredients, and the way that they are the foundations for aquafeed and fed aquatic species in general. Within the trade press, and even the mainstream media, there is a lot of interest in novel ingredients for aquafeed, and that is, of course, understandable, given the pressures on providing more volume of supply to maintain growth in aquaculture. Whilst we cannot say, in a technical sense, that fishmeal is essential in the formulation of a nutritionally complete aqua feed for any particular species, we can at least say that it is indispensable in a practical sense. The reason for that is because the provision of essential nutrients in one material package, such as fishmeal, removes the need for feed producers to supplement individual nutrients, such as specific amino acids, a deficiency of which may carry the risk of restricting growth performance. Fishmeal is practically essential, in this sense. One aspect of the use of concepts such as Fish In : Fish Out ratio (FIFO), and Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) that aspire to reduce the level of fishmeal and fish oil in aqua feeds that we have been looking at this year, is the nutritional relationship to the end product and the health of the farmed fish. In no other species is this more contentious than in farmed Atlantic salmon. Our argument in IFFO is that these concepts are not relevant, providing the marine ingredients that are being used are responsibly produced and sourced. There really is no rational argument for setting limits on fishmeal and fish oil in salmon feed, on a preconception that the link will improve the management of the fisheries. In many instances, these are the best performing fisheries anyway, as the biology and life history of many of the small pelagic species makes management relatively more straightforward (in general), so this really is a non-sequitir. Certification schemes, such as the IFFO Responsible Supply scheme, are the best way to achieve those kinds of improvements. Of particular interest here is the relationship between nutrition, end product quality, and provenance. When we compare premium products in other proteins, such as grass-fed beef, or free-range chicken, to something approaching or perceived to be the wild-type diet for these animals (despite thousands of years of selective breeding), we see a distinct difference between these sectors and aquaculture. Taking a look at fish, we can ask the same question, what do wild Atlantic salmon eat in the marine phase of their life-cycle? A Google search will pick up at least one scientific paper that refers to blue whiting, sandeel and herring as primary prey items in Atlantic salmon post-smolt feeding in the North-East Atlantic. It is no surprise, then, that these species have been so important, historically, for the production of fishmeal and fish oil and incorporation into salmon feeds. We can expect more information to come through, over time, on the relation between marine ingredients and fish health, but even in the context of product quality and the perception of the product there is much more to look at here from the consumer’s perspective. “Sandeel-fed salmon” perhaps?
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 | January 2019 - International Aquafeed
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nternational Aquafeed magazine and Dr Mian N Riaz, Head of Extrusion Technology, Texas A&M University System will be hosting a one-day Aqua Feed Conference at the VIV Asia, Bangkok on March 13, 2019. This conference will focus on extrusion principles, raw material, grinding, aqua feed extrusion, different types of extruders and their application, drying of aqua feed, how to improve the aqua feed quality, managing the aqua feed facility and several other related topics. Pre-registration is required for this event, and tickets cost US $199 each. Participants will receive certificates for completing the conference. VIV are now calling for both speakers and sponsors that can participate in the event. Only the best extrusiontechnology specialists and companies will be participating, so the opportunity serves as a brilliant chance for companies and individuals to get their names recognised at the forefront of extrusion technology. Various sponsorship opportunities are also available, and it is recommended companies get in quick to assure their space. Several sponsors are already confirmed, including Wenger, DSM, Clextral, CPS and Amandus Kahl. For more information, please contact Tuti Tan (tutit@perendale.co.uk) or Mian Riaz (mnriaz@tamu. edu).