The UK retailer Tesco has been working on how more algal oil can be incorporated into the diet of the fish that they sell, starting with salmon. It is part of its Little Helps Plan commitment to address the key sustainability challenges in its supply chain.
The company has been working collaboratively with its key salmon suppliers to support them scale up the use of more sustainable feed ingredients, such as omega-3 rich algal oil. One of Tesco’s main suppliers in Norway has already started to supply them with some salmon that were partially fed with omega-3 oils from algal oil.
To build on this development, the company is in the process of updating its own brand of farmed salmon standards which targets the reduction of the amount of wild-caught fish that is fed to the salmon they source. The transitioning of the entire aquaculture industry to more sustainable feeds such as algal oil will require the commitment from many businesses and organizations.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the global conservation charity, is supportive of this innovation. Piers Hart, Seafood and Aquaculture Specialist, WWF-UK said that “WWF is very supportive of Tesco in their effort to reduce the use of fish oil in their salmon feed. WWF has been working on alternative raw materials in animal feeds, including fish feeds, for some time and identified the potential of algal oils early on. The production of ingredients for feeds has significant impacts in regards to land use, water use and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Nigel Edwards, CSR Director at Seachill, one of Tesco’s fish suppliers, said that “the salmon industry has grown rapidly over the last 30 years, with huge steps forward in feed efficiency and farming technology. But to grow further the industry needs novel sustainable sources of omega-3 oils, which are essential to both fish and human health. Algal oils are a natural solution and we are proud to work with the leading innovative salmon farmers and their partner feed producers to encourage investment in them and increase their use.”
Veramaris applauds Tesco’s move. “Value chain collaboration and a forward-thinking mindset are key to implementing sustainable breakthrough technologies, such as omega-3 EPA & DHA rich algal oil. Tesco sets an example as a prime agent of change, helping to provide consumers with healthy and sustainable choices. We are proud that algal oil rich in both omega 3 EPA & DHA in salmon feed contributes to a sustainable salmon that also supports both brain and heart health of the entire family,” stated Karim Kurmaly, CEO of Veramaris.
