Current Issues in Fish and Shellfish Nutrition

摘要

Aquaculture has been the world's fastest growing food production system over the last two decades. Fish and shellfish contribute to more than 16% of the human diet. It currently involves the production of over 123 finfish, 39 molluscan species and 26 crustacean species. Of the different species being cultured, complete information on the quantitative nutrient requirements and feed utilization is limited to less than a dozen freshwater species and some recommendations are available for selected nutrients for a few marine species. Limited research efforts have been directed to investigate the influence of dietary factors and specific nutrient on male reproduction, egg and larval development and survival of offspring but these factors remain the major bottleneck for hatchery production of marine fish species. The aquaculture industry relies heavily on ingredients of marine origin (fish-meal and fish oil) and currently efforts focus on the substitution, at least in part, of such marine resources with terrestrial agriculture products such as plant protein and oil. From a nutritional point of view, aside from the provision of high quality animal protein, fish and shellfish are the major source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are also rich in several essential micronutrients. The role of nutrition in tailoring flesh composition is a major field of study in fish nutrition. Effects of diet composition on the nutritional and organoleptic quality of fish flesh have been demonstrated. A significant amount of research efforts has been directed to reduce the nutrient loads into the environment. There is also a growing need for research on the food safety of aquaculture products. Some of these nutritional issues are briefly discussed.