We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sustainable Alternative Feed for Aquaculture: State of the Art and Future Perspective
Summary
Not directly relevant to microplastics — this review surveys sustainable alternative feed ingredients for aquaculture, covering plant-based proteins, by-products, and insects as replacements for fishmeal and fish oil.
With aquaculture intensifying to meet future demands and forage fish stocks nearing their ecological limits, fed aquaculture must continue to scale down reliance on fishmeal and fish oil to safeguard the sustainable development of the sector.Sustainable alternative feed ingredients for the production of aquafeeds are paramount.Apart from terrestrial plant-based and animal-based ingredients, fishery and aquaculture by-products and insects are presently the most viable alternative sources.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Expanded utilisation of microalgae in global aquafeeds
This review explores how microalgae can be used more widely in aquaculture feeds as a sustainable replacement for fish meal and fish oil. Microalgae provide essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and antioxidant pigments that support fish health and growth. While not directly about microplastics, expanding microalgae-based aquaculture feeds could reduce reliance on wild-caught fish from potentially microplastic-contaminated oceans.
Detection and characterisation of microplastics and microfibres in fishmeal and soybean meal
Researchers examined fishmeal and soybean meal used as aquaculture feed ingredients and detected microplastics and semi-synthetic cellulosic microfibers in fishmeal but not in plant-based soybean meal. The findings suggest that animal-based aquaculture feeds represent a route of microplastic contamination for farmed fish.
Detection of Microplastic Contamination in Commercial Insect Meals
Researchers analyzed commercial insect meal products used in aquaculture feed and found microplastic contamination in all samples tested. Using specialized detection methods, they identified various polymer types including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester within the insect-based feed. The findings raise questions about whether insect farming, promoted as a sustainable protein source, may inadvertently introduce microplastics into the aquaculture food chain.
Microplastics in fishmeal: A threatening issue for sustainable aquaculture and human health
Researchers reviewed how microplastics enter aquaculture systems through contaminated fishmeal — made from wild-caught fish that have ingested ocean plastics — and accumulate in farmed fish that are then eaten by humans. The review calls for improved microplastic screening during fish feed production to protect both aquaculture sustainability and public health.
Microplastic Contamination in Aquafeed Ingredients Used as Protein and Carbohydrate Sources
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in common aquafeed ingredients used as protein and carbohydrate sources. They found that poultry by-products had the highest microplastic levels, with polypropylene being a dominant polymer type likely originating from packaging materials. The study identifies a pathway by which microplastics can enter aquaculture food chains through contaminated feed ingredients.