Growing aquaculture: Use of vegetable oil and meal on the rise in fish feeds

摘要

Aquaculture-or the controlled cultivation of aquatic plants and animals in a confined environment-is the fastest-growing segment of world food production. And as the aquaculture industry grows, so does interest by producers in expanding the use of vegetable oils and meals in fish feed. Currently, fish meal and oil are the primary protein and energy sources for aquafeeds. But with the increasing cost and short supply offish meal and fish oil-as well as the perception by consumers that farmed fish area source of contaminants such as diox-ins and pesticides-research into the use of plant-based materials in fish feed also is growing.