The project is setting the stage for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture industry. By focusing on nitrogen-efficient feed formulations and exploring alternative protein sources, the project aims to reduce the environmental impact of fish farming while ensuring healthy, thriving fish. The results of this project have the potential to change the face of aquaculture for good, leading to a cleaner, greener future.
This innovative project was designed to develop a nitrogen-optimized fish feed that minimizes nitrogen excretion.
Project parners: DTU AQUA, Dansk Akvakultur Producent Organisation og AquaPri
The project is setting the stage for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture industry. By focusing on nitrogen-efficient feed formulations and exploring alternative protein sources, the project aims to reduce the environmental impact of fish farming while ensuring healthy, thriving fish. The results of this project have the potential to change the face of aquaculture for good, leading to a cleaner, greener future.
This innovative project was designed to develop a nitrogen-optimized fish feed that minimizes nitrogen excretion.
Project parners: DTU AQUA, Dansk Akvakultur Producent Organisation og AquaPri
Why does nitrogen matter in fish farming?
Nitrogen might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to fish farming, but it plays an important role. Fish require protein to grow, and that protein is made up of amino acids. Some of these amino acids are "essential," meaning the fish can't produce them on their own and need to get them from their feed. While fish feed is carefully crafted to meet these essential amino acid needs, the non-essential amino acids - the ones fish can produce themselves - are often overlooked.
Here's the catch: when fish are fed more protein than they can use, the excess amino acids are broken down and excreted as nitrogen into the water. This nitrogen not only contributes to water pollution but also increases the carbon footprint of fish farming.
But what if there was a way to improve the feed, so fish had a more efficient utilization of amino acids and thereby excrete less nitrogen? That’s exactly what the project aims to do. The goal is to optimize the feed composition to reduce nitrogen excretion, thus helping the environment while ensuring fish grow just as well as they would on traditional feed.
Non-Essential amino acids
The heart of the project lies in optimizing the composition of non-essential amino acids in fish feed. These are the amino acids that fish can synthesize themselves, but when fed in excess, they end up being wasted. By fine-tuning amino acids presence in the feed we can reduce nitrogen waste, leading to cleaner water and a lower carbon footprint. To develop truly sustainable fish feed, we need to understand how different protein sources are digested and utilized by fish. It’s not just about what’s in the feed, but how well fish can absorb and incorporate it into the body. By studying how juvenile rainbow trout digests selected ingredients, the project aims to determine which sources provide the best balance of protein efficiency and sustainability. These diets will then be tested on juvenile rainbow trout to measure their growth, feed conversion, and, of course, nitrogen excretion.
The big picture: This research could lead to a revolution in fish feed formulations
The project isn’t just about improving one aspect of fish feed; it’s about creating a holistic solution for a more sustainable future in aquaculture. Imagine a future where fish farming leaves a minimal environmental footprint, with cleaner water, more sustainable feed ingredients, and fish that thrive in healthy systems. Stay tuned, as this exciting research unfolds and sets the stage for a new era of sustainable fish farming.
Resultater (27)
In fish farming, large fluctuations in the oxygen content of water have a negative impact on the well-being of the fish and consequently on its growth. High water temperatures or rich vegetation in the water are important alarming factors to observe, especially in summer periods.
In fish farming, being attentive to oxygen levels and implementing oxygenation are important prerequisites for maintaining economic growth rates.
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Hos BioMar forstår vi, at rejsen til enestående fisk og rejer begynder længe før, den når bordet, og den starter med det foder, der giver næring til fisk og rejer.
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Just like humans, fish need certain levels oxygen to thrive. Sub-optimal oxygen levels may have consequences on the well-being of the fish and consequently on the economic outcome of a fish farm. Active observation and assessment are required to take the necessary actions in good time.
Every year, billions of chickens are processed for food - leaving behind mountains of feathers. While most see this as waste, aquaculture nutritionists see something else entirely: opportunity. These feathers, once destined for landfills, are now being transformed into a high-protein, sustainable ingredient known as feather meal.
FLAG-emissioner (Forest, Land and Agriculture) vil være vigtige, når akvakulturindustrien skifter til produktion med lavere kulstofindhold. Disse udledninger, som nu spores under Science-Based Targets-initiativet (SBTi), stammer fra arealanvendelse og landbrugsaktiviteter snarere end fra energiforbrug.
Selecting the right feed is critical for achieving production goals on a fish farm. Conducting feed trials directly on the farm is the most effective way to identify the best option. BioMar helps guide this process.
At BioMar, we are committed to ensuring that our feed and raw materials meet the highest standards of safety, quality and sustainability; and that our operations are safe for our employees and the environment. To demonstrate this dedication, we comply with a range of internationally recognised quality certifications and standards. Every step of our value chain is certified to comply with international standards
Their aquaculture journey began with curiosity sparked by an unused pond on his father’s land. With no prior experience in fish farming but a strong background in finance and business, Lauris Apsis saw an opportunity to create something meaningful. Recognizing sustainability as the key to long-term success, Lauris and his Finnish partner, Salmela-Yhtiot Oy founded Blue Circle (Zivs uz Ledus), a Latvian farm dedicated to producing premium Arctic char using cutting-edge recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
At the BioMar factory in Denmark, we assist salmon and trout farmers with tailored solutions, backed by our technical expert team, BioFarm. These advisors are dedicated to sharing knowledge on pigmentation strategies, helping our partners achieve top-quality fish fillets.
As the global demand for sustainable aquaculture practices continues to rise, so does the need for alternatives to traditional fish meal and fish oil. One of the most promising innovations in this space is AlgaPrime, a revolutionary ingredient that provides a sustainable and nutritious source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA.
I BioMar’s fabrik i Brande støtter vi ørred- og lakseopdrættere med skræddersyede foderløsninger og tilbyder råd og vejledning via BioFarm, vores hold af tekniske eksperter. BioFarm engagerer sig i at dele vores viden og erfaringer i pigmentstrategi, og står klar til at hjælpe vores partnere i at levere fileter af højeste kvalitet.