Fish Nutrition

For salmon aquaculture, feed accounts for roughly half the operating costs primarily due to the use of premium quality fish meal, fish oils, and carotenoid pigments. The world production of these natural ingredients is limited so it is essential they be used in an optimal fashion and in such a way as to protect the integrity and health of our marine environment. Global demand for seafood is expected to grow substantially in the coming decades and advances in fish nutrition including the use of alternate sources of plant protein will be crucial in increasing world seafood production.

Well balanced nutritious feed is essential for the production of healthy, high quality fish as well as the protection of our marine environment. Fish nutrition research conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been aimed at improving the overall health of farmed or enhanced salmon, improving the quality of the flesh of market-size salmon, and reducing the high costs of diets for farmed or enhanced salmon. Major initiatives that have been and are being undertaken to accomplish these goals include determining the nutritional needs of salmon in sea water for growth, good health and a sustainable aquatic environment, optimization of fish feeding and husbandry practices, replacement of expensive fish meal and marine lipids with high quality economical alternatives (such as using plant protein and lipid sources), enhancing carbohydrate utilization in salmon, and reducing the cost of pigmenting salmon flesh. A complimentary objective in this research has been to minimize the amount of solid waste generated as well as minimizing or balancing the production of nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon waste. Future research will not only address fish nutrition issues related to salmonids, but also those pertaining to the culture of other finfish and crustaceans of commercial importance.

In addition to our highly skilled and professional staff, the Centre for Aquaculture and Environmental Research and the Pacific Biological Station offer excellent facilities for conducting fish nutrition research with a wide range of aquarium facilities as well as support labs and equipment.

Contact:
Dr. Dave Higgs
Tel: (604) 666-7924
FAX: (604) 666-3497
Email: dave.higgs@dfo-mpo.gc.ca