The University of Idaho hosted host the ‘17th International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding’ at the Sun Valley Resort, June 6-10. Over 340 participants from 35 countries were in attendance and saw 180 scientific presentations, some presented orally and others as posters from researchers around the globe.

The overarching theme of the five-day symposium was how to feed the fish that will feed the world.  Attendees were addressed by four experts who gave invited lectures. Three of the speakers addressed the question of fish nutrition research priorities. Dr. Sachi Kaushik, recently retired INRA scientist, presented his priorities from a researcher’s point of view. The other two speakers, Tim O’Keefe (United Soy Board) and Jose Villalon (Skretting), addressed the topic as a practicing fish nutritionist and an executive of a major, international aquafeed company, respectively.

The fourth invited speaker, Professor John Rawls, Duke University, is an expert on fish gut microbiota. He presented recent findings from medical and animal research that demonstrates the crucial role of gut microbiota in the physiology, nutrition and health of animals, including fish. This research area has exploded with the development of high-throughput technologies rather than traditional culture techniques to identify microorganisms in the gut and how they interact with the host intestine to promote nutrient absorption and inhibit pathogens.

The event was sponsored by several aquatic feed companies. For a complete list of event sponors, click here. 

Article written by Ron Hardy, University of Idaho.