Krill as a source of aquafeeds

• Main Author: Wilding, Thomas
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Crown Estate 2007
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://pure.uhi.ac.uk/en/publications/d9698500-d65e-4050-9155-af561eecf131; https://pureadmin.uhi.ac.uk/ws/files/22987065/263_Wilding_T_Krill_as_Source_of_Aquafeeds_2009.pdf

Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry that is currently highly dependent on limited supplies of fishmeal and fish-oil. There is a pressing need for the aquaculture sector to find alternatives to fishmeal and fish-oil which are both cost-effective and maintain product quality. There are currently two substantial krill fisheries but only one, the Antarctic fishery, offers scope for the expansion necessary to make a significant contribution to global fishmeal and fish-oil supplies. The following aspects of krill make them a potentially significant source of aquafeeds: • Krill are a massive resource and consist of high quality protein and oil • Krill can be used directly, or processed into products, that are ideal for use in a broad range of aquafeeds • Salmon and cod grow at least as well on krill diets compared with traditional fish-based diets • Krill can be used as an feed attractant, making highly vegetable substituted diets more acceptable to fish • Krill contain high concentration of astaxanthins making them particularly useful in finishing (grow-out) diets • Salmon and cod fed krill are highly agreeable to consumers, in terms of taste, smell, texture and colour. The Antarctic fishery for E. superba, currently operates at 1/40th of the total allowable catch and considerable expansion of the fishery is possible. However, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed before krill fisheries can develop. These include: • The extent to which technological innovation will reduce krill fishing costs in the harsh operating conditions that characterise Antarctic fishing grounds • The potential ecological implications of an expanding fishery, particularly in combination with other threats such as climate change • The extent to which future market price for fishmeal and oil, and vegetable and fuel oil will determine krill fishery viability • Consumer acceptability of fish fed krill substituted diets • The potential for change in EU legislation with regard to animal feedstocks, that currently limit krill ...