An EC-funded research project is making significant advances in developing alternative fish feeds that maintain the nutritional properties of fish. The project is also furthering the European aquaculture industry’s knowledge base in relation to the long-term effects these dietary changes may have over the full lifecycle of farmed fish.

The ARRAINA (Advanced Research Initiatives for Nutrition & Aquaculture) project has entered its third year of seeking to define quantitative nutritional requirements for the five main European aquaculture species (Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Common Carp, Gilthead Seabream, and European Seabass). ARRAINA is also investigating the long-term effects of alternative feeds on fish metabolism, performance, quality and waste management throughout the whole fish lifecycle (egg to brood stock).

Additionally, the project expects to deliver improved and innovative methods, tools and concepts for fish nutrition that contribute to Europe’s knowledge-based economy through the design and delivery of training courses in fish nutrition in order to increase research capacities and expertise, and by undertaking problem-based research and enhanced knowledge transfer to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the commercial sector.

At the project’s most recent meeting in Wageningen, the Netherlands, partners and members of the stakeholder advisory board reviewed and discussed the progress made so far. Representatives of the European Feed Manufacturers\' Federation (FEFAC) and the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) were present to discuss the feedback and expectations of stakeholders.

In further news, ARRAINA will host a session on fish nutrition at the Aquaculture Europe conference (AE2014) in San Sebastián, Spain, later this year. This session will provide stakeholders and interested parties with the opportunity to learn more about the current and expected results of the ARRAINA project.

The ARRAINA consortium comprises 22 partners from research, industry and the SME sector, all working towards the aim of increasing the European aquaculture industry’s productivity while addressing the issues of nutritional value, food safety and environmental impacts.

Download the project factsheet (PDF).

Photo: ARRAINA project fish feed trials at Wageningen University, the Netherlands.

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