New algae-based fish feed shows potential
CHILE
Monday, September 30, 2002
Scientists working to develop a new fish food based on algae say it will
benefit the aquaculture sector by reducing production costs and lowering
mortality rates, as well as being environmentally friendly.
The project to develop alternative raw products based on algae to feed
farmed species was launched on 24 September by the Universidad Católica de
Valparaíso (UCV) and the Fishery Promotion Institute (IFOP).
IFOP explained that the process of making the new feed involves combining
various algae mixtures with nitrogen to generate a premix product.
One of the main areas of research is cost effectiveness. It appears that
using this type of food could reduce domestic farmed salmon production costs
by three to four per cent, depending on the species.
The new feed could also bring about a 1.4 to 1.35 per cent reduction in food
conversion, and a two per cent decrease in the overall mortality rate during
the productive cycle, which in turn could lead to increased exports.
These benefits could be highly significant for the Chilean farmed salmon
sector, as it is one of the most important in the world.
The business sector is also involved with the algae meal, food and
aquaculture producers Prodalmar Ltda., Alitec, Cultivos Marinos Chiloé and
Yadrán SA, all cooperating with the research.
The scientists add that the new feed will not only benefit the aquaculture
sector. The lower conversion factor will reduce environmental impact and
manufacturing this new feed will also promote algae extraction as demand for
the raw product increases.
By Patricia Loru
FIS Latino
(From Aquaculture Info List, e-mail: dave.conley@sympatico.ca)