THE CRUST - ISSUE 47

CEO The

Chief Editor Overview

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ello and welcome to this month’s issue of THE CRUST. A recent trip across the Scandinavian countries gave plenty of time for the kind of curiosity that travel tends to invite. At some point, the thought came up almost on its own: what did the Vikings call shrimp? A quick search later, the answer was skreppa, an Old Norse word rooted in the idea of something that shrinks and curls under pressure. Watch a shrimp hit a hot pan and the name makes perfect sense. Something slight. Something that folds into itself. Hardly the image of a global powerhouse.

And yet, here we are.

Shrimp today drives entire coastal economies, feeds hundreds of millions of people, and generates tens of billions of dollars in global trade every year. The name never quite caught up with the reality. But if there is one thing the current moment is teaching this industry, it is that the gap between perception and reality can close very quickly, and not always in a comfortable direction.

Nowhere is that clearer right now than in China. Ecuador has long been the dominant force in that market, with Chinese buyers absorbing nearly half of the country’s total shrimp output. But in recent months, China’s authorities have suspended import declarations from a number of major Ecuadorian processors, creating real uncertain-

ty across the supply chain. The result was a vacuum, and Vietnam moved quickly to fill it. Vietnamese shrimp exports to mainland China jumped 47% year on year in the first half of 2026, the fastest growth among all of Vietnam’s major export destinations. This was not simply a matter of luck or geography. Vietnam was positioned, and it was ready.

What this moment illustrates is something the industry is increasingly having to confront. As Sandro Coglitore, CEO of Omarsa, one of Ecuador’s largest processors, put it at AquaVision 2026: “Countries are weaponizing sanitary guidelines to block market access.” Whether one agrees with that framing or not, the underlying point stands. Production volume alone no longer determines who wins. Compliance, traceability, and trade diplomacy have become just as important as what happens inside the pond. (Source: Aquafeed.com, AquaVision 2026, July 20, 2026) As the industry heads toward the Global Shrimp Forum in Utrecht this September 1 to 3, these are exactly the questions that will be on the table. It is one of the more important gatherings in the calendar, and the conversations that happen there tend to reflect where the industry is genuinely heading.

From thin origins to a global force. The name may not have kept up, but the responsibility certainly has.

THE CRUST - RIZKY

Chief Editor

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Photo source : doc. The CRUST

Rizky Darmawan

BEYOND LOST PONDS:

THE LONG ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SOUTH GUJARAT’S SHRIMP FLOODS

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Photo source : doc. Dr. Manoj Sharma, GSF_Pierre Banoori

he severe flooding that hit South Gujarat, India, in late July devastated shrimp farming areas across several major production hubs. Within hours, thousands of ponds that had been built and developed over decades were damaged or completely swept away by the powerful currents. At the same time, thousands of tons of shrimp that were approaching harvest size were washed out into surrounding waterways.

Dr. Manoj Sharma, a shrimp farmer and industry observer, said heavy rains began falling around the foothills of the Saputara mountains on July 24. The worst impacts were reported in Navsari and Valsad, particularly in the areas of Navsari, Billimora, Mahindra, and Bhat, which he estimates account for around 45–50% of shrimp farming activity in the region.

The flooding was triggered by extremely heavy rainfall in the Poorna and Kaveri river basins. The situation became even more severe when high river discharge coincided with high tides from the sea.

Seawater moving inland met the large volume of freshwater flowing downstream, pushing the freshwater back while the sheer volume of water caused flood levels to rise around 2–3 feet above the shrimp ponds.

According to Sharma, around 2,800–3,100 shrimp ponds were completely swept away by the floodwaters. This estimate is significantly higher than the initial figure reported by farmer groups, which said more than 1,600 ponds had been affected across South Gujarat.

“Thirty years of hard work in developing these farms was completely wiped away in just 30 hours of flooding,” Sharma said, illustrating the scale of the devastation.

Harvest-Ready Shrimp Washed Away The biggest losses came not only from the destruction of the ponds themselves, but also from the loss of shrimp stocks that had been cultivated for months. The shrimp had been stocked in February and March, primarily Black Tiger shrimp, and had

Dr. Manoj Sharma

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art-ICLE reached 30–45 grams by the time the floods hit—close to harvest size.

Each pond typically holds around four tons of shrimp. Sharma estimates that around 15,000 tons of Gujarat’s shrimp production were affected, either directly or indirectly. Meanwhile, an estimated 10,000–12,000 tons of shrimp escaped into canals and surrounding natural waters after pond embankments collapsed.

The losses came at a time when both market prices and demand were strong, particularly from China. As a result, the loss of shrimp stocks just before harvest has placed even greater economic pressure on farmers. Overall, an estimated 500–600 farmers suffered losses approaching Rs1,000 crore, equivalent to around US$105 million.

The destruction also extended to the physical infrastructure that has long supported shrimp farming operations. A pond equipped with aerators, electrical systems, embankments, and inlet and outlet canals requires an investment of at least US$10,000, including around US$2,000 for earthwork. If around 3,000 ponds were completely destroyed, the value of the lost infrastructure alone could reach approximately US$30 million.

For many farmers, however, the problem goes far beyond the loss of physical assets. The costs of seed, feed, electricity, labor, and other production inputs had already been incurred before the floods arrived. With entire shrimp stocks lost just before harvest, farmers’ ability to repay loans to banks, hatcheries, and feed suppliers is also at risk.

The Disease Threat The floods have also created a serious biological challenge.

Shrimp that escaped from the ponds entered canals and surrounding natural waters as large volumes of freshwater inundated the area.

Sharma estimates that around 50% of the escaped shrimp died almost immediately due to extreme changes in salinity.

Water salinity, which had previously been around 30 ppt, could fall to nearly 0 ppt. Such a sudden change can cause severe salinity shock in shrimp.

The mass mortality of shrimp has created another layer of risk. In the affected areas, an estimated five to six tons of dead shrimp have accumulated. The carcasses, combined with the environmental changes caused by the flooding, could create conditions conducive to the proliferation of pathogens.

Sharma warned of the risk of disease spreading, particularly White Spot Disease and Vibrio, to ponds that have survived the flooding. Water movement during the floods has also heightened concerns about cross-contamination between ponds, canals, and surrounding waterways.

For a region that has spent decades building its shrimp industry, the disaster represents a major blow not only to production capacity but also to the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Recovery will depend on farmers’ ability to rebuild their ponds and secure the capital needed to restart production, while biological risks and environmental damage continue to threaten the region.

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Reconstruction and the Importance of Insurance Recovery will require much more than simply restocking ponds. Damaged ponds must be repaired, accumulated silt removed, embankments rebuilt, and pumps and aerators replaced. Sharma said that even after the infrastructure is restored, farmers will still need to wait through a production cycle of around three to four months before they can begin generating shrimp again.

As a result, the loss of a single production cycle could develop into a much longer-term economic problem.

Some areas could even take nearly a decade to return to the condition they were in before the disaster.

Given the scale of the losses, Sharma does not expect the government to fully compensate farmers for the estimated US$105 million in damage. However, as a member of the governing body of India’s National Fisheries Development Board and someone involved with various government agencies, he expects the government to introduce special packages to help farmers rebuild damaged ponds and infrastructure.

Potential measures could include subsidies for pond reconstruction, aerators, generators, and engine sets, as well as concessions or waivers on certain costs. Sharma is also optimistic that the Gujarat state government could introduce additional support packages to help affected farmers restore their operations.

The disaster has also highlighted the importance of aquaculture insurance. Even India already has an insurance scheme for shrimp farmers, but adoption has remained limited, partly because of premiums of around 5% and various conditions that have made farmers hesitant to participate.

“If the government can reduce the premium from 5% to 3.5%, I think it could become a win-win situation for the industry, the government, and insurance companies,” Sharma said.

In his view, wider adoption of insurance would provide farmers with much stronger financial protection against future disasters. While government support may help rebuild damaged infrastructure, insurance could play a crucial role in protecting farmers from the financial consequences of losing their crops and investments in future extreme-weather events.

THE CRUST - AB

FISH-School

Putri Afin Nurhayati

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Contro lling S hri mp D is eas es Through th e Power of B en eficial M icro b es •

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the shrimp.

Bacteriophages: Highly specific viruses target and destroy problem Vibrio strains without harming the rest of the pond’s ecosystem.

Supportive Biotics: Prebiotics, synbiotics, beneficial fungi, and natural botanical extracts are also showing strong promise as complementary tools.

Still, biocontrol isn’t a magic bullet you can just pour into a pond and forget. What works in a pristine laboratory test tube often behaves differently in a dynamic outdoor farm. Factors like water salinity, temperature, pH, organic load, and native microbial competition all dictate whether a biocontrol agent succeeds or fails. Picking the right strain requires rigorous safety testing, field validation, and a clear understanding of local pond conditions.

Ultimately, the key takeaway is a shift in mindset: prevention must always beat reaction. “Good microbes” aren’t just trendy additives—they are fundamental building blocks of modern farm management. When paired with solid biosecurity, high-quality post-larvae, smart feeding, and regular water monitoring, biocontrol offers a real path toward a safer, healthier, and truly sustainable shrimp industry free from antibiotic reliance.

Source: X. He, J. He, M. Liu, et al., “Biocontrol for Shrimp Disease: Comprehensive Review and a Bacterial Disease Biocontrol Practice,” Reviews in Aquaculture 18, no. 3 (2026): e70160, https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.70160.

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THE CRUST - DELTA MARINE INDONESIA

Photo source : doc. DELTA MARINE INDONESIA

isease outbreaks remain a major headache for whiteleg (Litopenaeus vannamei) shrimp farmers. Bacterial infections—particularly those driven by Vibrio species—can quickly ruin a crop by slashing shrimp appetite, stunting growth, and triggering sudden mass die-offs that leave farmers with devastating losses.

For decades, the go-to fix was simply dumping antibiotics and harsh chemicals into the ponds. But this quick fix backfired: it fueled antimicrobial resistance, left chemical residues in the water, and wiped out the pond’s natural microbial balance. Today, the industry is turning toward a far cleaner alternative: biocontrol.

The review article “Biocontrol for Shrimp Disease: Comprehensive Review and a Bacterial Disease Biocontrol Practice” breaks down how biologically driven strategies are replacing traditional chemical treatments. Rather than trying to sterilize the water, biocontrol harnesses living organisms and natural biological interactions to keep harmful pathogens under control. The goal isn’t just killing bad bacteria—it’s creating a stable, resilient ecosystem where shrimp can thrive.

Beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, sit at the heart of this strategy. Strains like Bacillus act as friendly competitors, outcompeting Vibrio for vital nutrients and physical space. Many of these good microbes also secrete natural antimicrobial compounds, enzymes, or signal-blocking molecules that disrupt bacterial communication (quorum sensing).

This prevents pathogens from colonizing the pond, building protective biofilms, or launching full-blown infections. Beyond fighting off disease, these probiotics actively break down organic waste, clean up water quality, and give the shrimp’s innate immune system a gentle boost.

Biocontrol also reaches beyond bacteria alone: • Green Water Systems: Microalgae soak up excess nutrients, boost dissolved oxygen, and create water conditions that natural pathogens hate.

• Biofloc Technology: Microbial aggregates process toxic nitrogenous waste while doubling as a nutrient-rich, secondary food source for

I

ntensive shrimp farming can deliver high yields, but it also places shrimp under constant pressure. Dynamic factors such as environmental fluctuations, pathogens, nutritional gaps, and day-to-day management decisions interact in complex ways, influencing shrimp health, growth, and ultimately, farm profitability.

These challenges came into sharp focus at the Soft Launch: ROVIMIX® Hy-Molt by dsm-firmenich, where leading experts shared practical, science-based approaches to building more resilient shrimp production. The discussions highlighted the importance of combining a deeper understanding of disease and shrimp physiology with targeted nutritional support and sound farm management.

Photo source : doc. dsm-firmenich

Disease Awareness Prof. Sri Nuryati, an aquatic animal health expert and lecturer at IPB University, opened the discussion by examining the disease–immune interface that intensive shrimp farmers must navigate. Major diseases such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), and White Muscle Disease rarely occur in isolation. Instead, they emerge from complex interactions among the host, the pathogen, and the surrounding environment.

One particularly vulnerable is the molting period. During this process, shrimp redirect a significant amount of energy toward forming and hardening their new cuticle, while their immune response may temporarily weaken. As a result, they can become more susceptible to infection at a time when they are already under considerable physiological stress.

Prof. Sri Nuryati also highlighted another important consideration: feed can potentially serve as a disease vector. While PCR detection of viral genetic material provides valuable information, a positive result does not necessarily mean the virus remains infectious. The high temperatures used during feed manufacturing can inactivate microorganisms, so detecting viral DNA or RNA alone is not enough to confirm a transmission risk. Additional testing—such as virus isolation, cell culture, or challenge trials—is often needed to determine whether the virus is still viable and capable of causing infection.

Distinguishing between the presence of genetic material and the presence of live, infectious particles is therefore critical for accurate risk assessment.

Her message was clear: effective disease prevention begins with a solid understanding of pathogen behavior, immune dynamics, and critical physiological periods such as molting.

Building on this foundation, Dr. Chung Thau Kiong, Manager, Strategic Product Management, Special Nutrients (Hy-D®), Vitamins and Carotenoids, Greater Asia Pacific, shifted the focus to molting as a fundamental biological process. Molting is essential not only for growth, but also for tissue regeneration, reproduction, and the continuous renewal of the shrimp’s exoskeleton.

The molting cycle moves through several distinct stages—pre-molt, molt, post-molt, and inter-molt—and each stage comes with its own physiological demands and nutritional priorities.

When molting goes wrong, the consequences can quickly cascade. What begins as a disruption in the molting process can lead to soft-shell syndrome, deteriorating water quality, greater susceptibility to disease, higher mortality, and ultimately, declining productivity. As Dr. Chung explained, successful molting depends on far more than nutrition alone. It requires the right combination of precise nutrition, stable water quality, good pond sanitation, appropriate stocking density, and comprehensive health management.

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BUI LD I NG M O I NTENSI VE S HR Precision Nutrition for Better Molting To support this critical physiological process, Dr. Chung introduced ROVIMIX® Hy-Molt, which contains Hy-D® 25(OH) D3, a highly bioavailable form of vitamin D. The ingredient plays a role in vitamin D metabolism and immune function, while also supporting aquaporin regulation and the efficient absorption of calcium and phosphorus—all of which are important for forming and hardening a strong new exoskeleton.

By supporting shrimp throughout the molting process, the product is designed to help improve molting success, strengthen resilience, and promote more consistent growth.

The discussion then broadened to the wider range of stressors shrimp face in intensive production systems. Abung Maruli, M.Sc., Technical Expert Manager Aqua at dsm-firmenich – Greater Asia Pacific, highlighted pathogens, environmental fluctuations, water-quality challenges, nutritional imbalances, high stocking densities, and farm management practices as key factors that can shape shrimp performance.

However, not all of these factors are equally within the farmer’s control.

Weather-driven fluctuations and certain disease outbreaks, for instance, can be difficult to predict or prevent entirely. Other factors—including genetics, feed quality

connected elements rather than as separate concerns.

ORE RESI LI ENT RI MP FARM I NG and efficiency, and pond management—offer greater opportunities for active optimization.

Focusing on these controllable elements, Abung explained, is essential for achieving high survival, strong growth, and efficient production. Within this broader management framework, functional feed additives can provide another practical tool to support shrimp health and performance.

Aquastar® GH, for example, has demonstrated up to 60 percent protection against AHPND under experimental conditions. For probiotics to be effective, they need to do more than simply reach the shrimp’s gut. They must be able to colonize the intestine by adhering to the intestinal epithelium, help suppress pathogens, and interact constructively with the shrimp’s immune system.

Meanwhile, organic acids such as Biotronic® can help control Vibrio sp. within the shrimp digestive system, while Mycofix® contributes by neutralizing exotoxins and endotoxins, helping to reduce the toxic load on the animal.

Importantly, Abung emphasized that feed additives should not be seen as a silver bullet. Their greatest value comes when they are integrated into a broader management strategy, where nutrition, biosecurity, water quality, and husbandry are managed as inter-

Toward More Resilient Shrimp Farming Taken together, the three presentations offered a clear set of practical lessons for shrimp producers.

First, knowledge remains the foundation. Understanding major diseases, the temporary decline in immune responsiveness during molting, and the distinction between detected genetic material and actual pathogen infectivity allows farmers to assess risks more accurately and respond before problems escalate.

Second, molting success can be actively supported. Combining sound pond management with precision nutrition—including highly bioavailable forms of vitamin D—can help address soft-shell problems, support survival, and promote more consistent growth.

Third, functional additives can strengthen good management practices.

When used as part of an integrated strategy rather than as standalone solutions, they can help mitigate disease pressure, support gut and immune health, and improve overall production performance and profitability.

In intensive shrimp farming, challenges will always be part of the equation.

The difference between average and outstanding results often lies in how systematically those challenges are understood and managed.

By bringing together disease awareness, physiological insight, precision nutrition, and functional feed additives, shrimp producers can move beyond reactive problem-solving toward a more proactive, performance-driven approach to farming—one that supports healthier shrimp, more consistent production, and more resilient operations.

THE CRUST - AB, DSM-FIRMENICH

Prof. Sri Nuryati Abung Maruli

Dr. Chung Thau Kiong

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WETMarket

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Keeping Markets Open : I n d on esia Steps U p Its S hri mp Export Game

or shrimp exporters, getting a container out of the factory is only part of the job. Keeping it moving into the destination market can be just as challenging.

That reality has become increasingly clear for Indonesia’s shrimp industry in 2026. From radioactive screening for shipments to the United States to the reopening of Saudi Arabia’s market for Indonesian wild-caught shrimp, exporters are dealing with a trading environment where food safety, traceability, and documentation carry more weight than ever.

For an industry built around competing on price and supply, this is an important shift.

A Tough Lesson from the U.S. Market The issue that put compliance firmly in the spotlight was the detection of Cesium-137 in frozen shrimp from an Indonesian processor by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2025. The incident led to additional certification requirements for certain Indonesian shrimp entering the United States.

Indonesia’s response was to strengthen its own control system. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) added radioactive scanners and expanded testing capacity to support the certification process for shrimp exports.

For exporters, this means another step in the shipment process. But the bigger issue is confidence. When a food safety concern emerges, the impact can extend beyond one processor or one shipment. Buyers want reassurance that the problem is understood, controlled, and unlikely to happen again.

That makes reliable testing and documentation increasingly important. They are not simply boxes to tick before export. They are part of maintaining buyer confidence.

One Market Closes, Then Opens Again The situation in Saudi Arabia offers a more positive example.

Saudi Arabia lifted its suspension on Indonesian wildcaught shrimp effective May 24, 2026, following discussions between Indonesian authorities and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). The suspension had been introduced in September 2025.

The reopening matters for exporters, but perhaps the bigger lesson is how the market was reopened.

Indonesia was able to demonstrate the measures it had put in place to address concerns around Cesium-137 and provide greater assurance over the safety of its seafood exports. The result was restored access.

For companies that had customers waiting on the other side of the suspension, that is more than a regulatory success.

It means relationships can be rebuilt, shipments can resume, and business can move forward.

Europe is Asking for More Information The compliance conversation is not limited to radioactive contamination.

Europe is also moving toward tighter and more digital traceability systems. From January 10, 2026, the European Union made its CATCH system mandatory for EU operators and authorities handling imports of fishery products under its IUU fishing controls.

This does not mean every shrimp shipment requires a catch certificate. Farmed shrimp, for example, is different from wildcaught seafood in this regard.

But for companies dealing with wild-caught shrimp and other fishery products, the direction is clear. Regulators and buyers want to know more about where seafood comes from, how it was caught, and how it moved through the supply chain.

For exporters, better traceability may require more work behind the scenes. It also means that incomplete or inconsistent documentation can become a commercial problem, not just an administrative one.

The New Competitive Edge None of this is particularly easy for exporters. Additional testing costs money. Certification takes time. Keeping supply chain records accurate requires coordination between suppliers, processors, laboratories, government agencies, and exporters. But there is an upside.

A strong compliance system can help Indonesian shrimp stand out in markets where buyers are becoming more cautious about food safety and traceability. Being able to quickly prove that a shipment is safe and properly documented can be valuable when customers are comparing suppliers from different origins.

Indonesia already has the production capacity and processing industry to remain an important player in global shrimp trade. The challenge now is making sure that market access keeps pace with that ambition.

The events of the past year offer a simple lesson: good shrimp may win a buyer, but trust keeps the business.

And increasingly, that trust has to be backed up by data, documentation, and proof.

THE CRUST - MIDA

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art-I

Fin d ing a Way B eyon d Fee

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ndonesia’s aquaculture feed industry remains heavily dependent on imported raw materials, making feed security an increasingly important concern. The issue was highlighted during a recent AquaDigest 2026 event organized by Adisseo, where industry experts discussed the growing challenges surrounding feed ingredients, global supply chains, and potential alternatives for aquaculture nutrition.

According to Andhi Trapsilo, DVM, of the Indonesian Feed Manufacturers Association (GPMT), around 60–65% of aquaculture feed ingredients are still sourced from overseas. This dependence matters because raw materials account for approximately 80–85% of feed production costs, while feed itself can represent 50– 75% of total production costs in fish and shrimp farming.

As a result, fluctuations in ingredient prices are quickly passed down to farmers. Indonesia’s reliance on soybean meal (SBM), fishmeal, and fish oil exposes feed manufacturers not only to price volatility but also to supply uncertainty.

Changes in import policies, rupiah depreciation, quality issues, certification requirements, and disruptions to international trade can all increase production costs. The challenge is becoming more significant as global demand for feed ingredients continues to rise while their supply faces growing uncertainty.

A More Uncertain Global Supply Ei Lin Ooi, Aqua Marketing Manager and Regional Category Manager Aqua at Adisseo APAC, highlighted the combination of demographic, geopolitical, and environmental pressures reshaping global commodity markets and maritime logistics. The global population is projected to reach 8.8 billion by 2034, while rising incomes in middle-income countries are driving greater consumption of animal protein. This will continue to increase demand for food commodities and feed ingredients.

At the same time, changing regulations, market expectations, and increasingly stringent certification requirements are adding complexity to international supply chains. Geopolitical tensions further amplify these

risks. The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted infrastructure and commodity supplies, while conflicts in the Middle East have increased risks to trade routes, energy, fertilizers, and maritime transportation.

Climate variability adds another layer of uncertainty. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which occurs periodically every two to seven years, can alter weather and ocean conditions and affect the production and availability of key commodities.

El Niño provides a clear example of how climate conditions can eventually affect feed prices. Under normal conditions, trade winds help drive upwelling, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water from deeper layers to the surface. During El Niño, this circulation can weaken or reverse, causing sea surface temperatures to rise.

Warmer waters can push anchovy into deeper areas, in some cases below 50 meters. In certain fishing grounds, regulations prevent fleets from operating at such depths. Fishing may also be restricted when catches contain too many juvenile fish, which can account for 80–90% of catches under certain conditions.

The effects are already being reflected in the market. Data presented by Ooi showed that cumulative production in Peru, one of the world’s leading fishmeal producers, declined by almost 50% for fishmeal and around 31% for fish oil compared with the previous year. Tightening supply pushed prices above USD 3,000 per ton, well beyond the previous record of around USD 2,000.

Prof. Dedi Jusadi, an aquafeed nutrition expert and lecturer at IPB University, warned that the feed industry is likely to face increasing scarcity and price uncertainty for major ingredients such as fishmeal, fish oil, and SBM. As global aquaculture expands, demand for these ingredients will continue to grow, while their production remains concentrated in particular regions. Feed manufacturers are therefore competing not only with other feed producers, but also with other countries and industries seeking the same resources. For Indonesia, this makes diversification of feed ingredients increasingly important.

Getting More from Plant-Based Ingredients One of the most immediate opportunities is to improve the utilization of locally available plant-based raw materials. However, many of these ingredients contain antinutritional factors and relatively high levels of fiber that can limit nutrient availability and digestibility.

Dedi explained that enzymes such as phytase, protease, celthese For β-glucanase example, cellulase canovercome be used some of lulase,limitations. xylanase, and can help to break down fiber in palm kernel meal (PKM) which can make its nutrients more accessible.

Photo source : doc. Minapoli

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d I ngred i ent D epen dence However, the effectiveness of enzymatic treatment depends on processing conditions and sufficient hydrolysis time.

He noted that reducing PKM fiber from approximately 15–16% to 6–7% can require around 24 hours. This means that simply adding enzymes directly to a feed formulation may not deliver the same results, as the enzymes may not have sufficient time to act on the raw material.

On the other hand, heat treatment during feed production provides another way to improve plant-based ingredients by reducing or deactivating certain antinutritional factors and potentially improving nutrient utilization and digestibility. But the process must be carefully controlled. Excessive heating can damage nutritional quality, including reducing the availability of certain proteins or amino acids.

Dedi said that the goal is therefore not simply to increase processing intensity, but to match the enzyme treatment, temperature, duration, and processing method to the characteristics of each raw material.

plastic development. As these industries expand, protein-rich fractions generated during processing could potentially be recovered rather than treated as low-value by-products.

At sufficient scale, these fractions could become additional sources of feed ingredients.

This points to a broader strategy for reducing Indonesia’s dependence on imported raw materials. Rather than searching for a single replacement for fishmeal, fish oil, or SBM, the industry could develop a portfolio of complementary local resources and technologies.

However, turning these opportunities into commercial solutions will require more than technical innovation. Consistent raw material quality, processing infrastructure, economic feasibility, regulatory support, and reliable connections between producers, processors, feed manufacturers, and farmers will all be essential.

For Indonesia’s aquaculture industry, reducing feed ingredient dependence is therefore not simply about finding cheaper substitutes. It is also about building a more diversified, resilient, and locally anchored feed system—one that can withstand global supply shocks while creating greater value from resources that Indonesia already has.

Looking to Aquatic-Based Ingredients Beyond improving existing plant-based resources, Prof.

Dedi sees longer-term potential in aquatic-based raw materials, particularly green seaweed, which remains relatively underdeveloped as a commercial resource in Indonesia.

He said that seaweed offers several advantages. It grows relatively quickly, can be cultivated at different salinity levels, and does not directly compete with agricultural land used for food production. It can also absorb nitrogen and phosphorus from surrounding waters, giving it potential applications in coastal bioremediation while supporting carbon uptake.

Its nutritional potential is equally interesting. Cultivation conditions can significantly influence its protein content. Samples grown under low-nutrient conditions showed lower protein levels, while cultivation in water with high nitrogen availability could increase protein content to around 44%.

The potential extends beyond proProf. Dedi tein quantity. Its amino acid profile Jusadi showed relatively strong levels of methionine, which could potentially help reduce the need for supplementation with certain ingredients in feed formulations.

Seaweed could also become part of a broader industrial value chain. It is already used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and bio-

THE CRUST - AB

Andhi Trapsilo, DVM.

Dr. Ei Lin Ooi

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WH AT TH E GLACI ERS LEFT B EH I N D

13 BREAK-Time

THE CRUST - RIZKY

Photo source : doc. fjords.com

Fjords

the sea. One pioneer was told by his bank in 1963, “Fish should be caught, not fed.” He kept going anyway.

The reason the fjords worked so well was not luck. They are deep inlets of ocean water, protected by steep mountainsides, with water that is saline, cold, and kept clean by strong currents. The sheltered walls keep the waves manageable. The depth keeps the water cold and well-oxygenated.

The currents do the cleaning. For a salmon, it is close to paradise.

The industry grew at roughly 40% per year through the 1970s.

Today Norway exports over 1.3 million tonnes of salmon annually, worth more than 10 billion euros, making it the country’s secondlargest export after oil and gas.

Every single day, 14 million meals of Norwegian farmed salmon are eaten on dinner tables and in restaurants across the world.

Norway produces more than half of the world’s farmed salmon.

All of it raised in the same cold, glacier-carved waters that have been sitting there, quietly waiting to be useful, for thousands of years.

Not bad for something that started with two brothers and a net.

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here is a moment, standing at the edge of a Norwegian fjord, when it becomes difficult to believe the place is real.

The walls of rock rise straight out of the water, sometimes hundreds of meters before they stop.

Waterfalls thread down the cliffs in thin white lines. The surface below sits so still and so dark it looks less like water and more like a mirror someone left out in the mountains. And underneath it all, silence. The kind that feels old.

These fjords were not always here. Over a period of 2.5 million years, massive glaciers carved U-shaped valleys deep into the Norwegian rock, grinding through mountain and stone until the ice eventually retreated and the sea rushed in to fill what was left behind. The glaciers were not gentle about any of it. Norway’s deepest fjord, the Sognefjorden, drops to 1,303 meters at its lowest point and stretches 205 kilometers inland.

The Sognefjord is known as the King of the fjords. At its inner end sits the biggest glacier in continental Europe. Then there is its neighbor to the south, the Hardangerfjord, which Norwegians call the Queen, its banks lined with apple orchards that bloom white in spring and turn heavy with fruit by autumn. Further north, the Nærøyfjord, a narrow branch of the Sognefjord, sits on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, surrounded by towering mountainsides and abundant waterfalls. Every fjord has its own character. Every fjord looks like a painting someone forgot to finish, and Norway has more than 1,000 of them.

What all of them share, beyond the scenery, is water. Cold, deep, clear, sheltered from the open sea by the same cliff walls that make the views so dramatic. And it turns out that combination is extraordinarily useful, though not for any reason the glaciers intended.

In the early 1960s, two brothers on a small island west of Trondheim started collecting juvenile salmon from local rivers and raising them in nets suspended in a fjord. It was not sophisticated. It was barely even a plan. But the fish thrived, and word spread fast. By 1973, there were close to 200 small farms trying to produce salmon in cages in

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