NRC to update nutrient requirements of fish and shrimp

The National Academies (National Research Council) has established a project to review the nutrient requirements of fish and shrimp. The current NRC recommendations date back to 1993.

A committee has been appointed to evaluate the scientific literature on the nutrient requirements of fish and shrimp in all stages of life. The report will focus on the species that are most important commercially (e.g., catfish, tilapia, bass, trout, salmon, sea bass and sea bream, and shrimp), but other emerging species (e.g., halibut, Atlantic cod, and winter flounder) may be included.

The committee comprises: R.W. Hardy (USA) Chair, D.M. Gatlin (USA), Vice-Chair' D.P. Bureau (Canada), L. R. D'abramo (USA), D.A. Davis (USA), J.E. Halver (USA), A. Krogdahl (Norway),  F. Medale (France), D.R. Tocher (UK) and S.Y. Shiau (Taiwan).

The committee will examine estimates of nutrient requirements and signs of nutrient deficiencies as reported in the literature and will evaluate information on management techniques and feeding practices that influence requirements. The committee will also examine research findings on the use of various protein sources and review the effects of nutrition in commercial fish production on nutrient and waste excretion and on environmental pollution. Strategies to increase nutrient retention and thus reduce fecal and metabolic excretions that contribute to environmental pollution will be reviewed.

Based on its review, the committee will prepare a report that includes:

. a comprehensive analysis of recent research on feeding and nutrition of fish and shrimp, nutrient requirements, and physiological and environmental factors affecting requirements
. an update of the recommendations contained in the 1993 NRC publication "Nutrient Requirements of Fish," which currently serves as the authoritative source of information (in the U.S. and internationally) for feeding fish, with additional information on shrimp.
. a description of feeding and production methods to reduce waste and environmental impacts
. a review of the benefits and detriments of including marine products in fish feeds
. information on the composition of feeds, feed additives (including substances such as antimicrobials and nutraceuticals), and other compounds routinely fed to fish and shrimp
. data on changes in the nutrient content of fish, such as omega-3 fatty acids, with changes in fish diet formulation

The project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service; The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; The United Soybean Board; and internal NRC funds derived from sales of publications in the Animal Nutrition Series.