Senior Scientist Anders Aksnes

Scientists at Fiskeriforskning's department in Bergen are working to reveal the secrets of fishmeal. The research will provide answers about which substances in the meal salmon needs to grow and develop normally.

"The answer can mean a halving of the amount of fishmeal in the feed", says Senior Scientist Anders Aksnes.

"When we understand which substances the salmon requires, then we can adapt the production such that we preserve as many of these substances in the meal as possible. We can utilise the fishing resources more effectively and get out more of the valuable components that the salmon needs, said Aksnes."

"This also means that the feed can be tailored to the needs of the salmon. This is knowledge with many positive effects."

It will also enable raw materials to be provided from alternative sources. "This can be fish offal, plants or animals in the sea. Everything from starfish to sea cucumbers and seaweed can be potential sources for raw materials", said Aksnes.

"Feeds and marine raw materials are going to become increasingly important. This is therefore a priority area at Fiskeriforskning's department in Bergen", says Department Director Ola Flesland.

"For the aquaculture industry, more knowledge in this area will be very important. This concerns both increased production and improved products."

For more information contact Senior Scientist Anders Aksnes.

Photo: © Norwegian Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Tromsø, Norway