April 3, 2008

Viking to develop new fish feed for farmed haddock
 

A project launched by Viking Fish Farms aims to develop an alternate feed using cereal proteins for farmed haddock.

Farming of cod and haddock are regarded as a sustainable method of meeting a growing market demand. Cod farming is well established in Norway and is ready to start in the UK as well, and Viking has now turned its attention to haddock.

Viking's plans to develop an alternative feed follows negative haddock farming trials in which a standard cod diet of fish meal and fish oil were found cause poor liver functionality in haddock.

The project will see Viking conduct further trials and testing of the new feed, which could spur new demand for both fish farmers and feed manufacturers. It is expected that annual haddock production in the UK could reach 5,000 tonnes.

If the project is successful, a major new market for UK cereals could be opened up, according to Julian Gibbons, chairman of HGCA's Market Development Committee.