Skretting introduces new feed for Japanese yellowtail

Global fish feed company Skretting has introduced a feed for Japanese yellowtail with the lowest fishmeal content to be offered in that market.

The fishmeal content in Skretting’s new Sustain feed is only 30% and close to half of feeds conventionally used in Japan for this species and others such as red sea bream.

"Compared with current salmon feeds in countries like Norway, our New Sustain YT has higher fishmeal content, but in Japan, feeds usually have fishmeal contents over 50%, even up to 60%," explains Yuta Hamasaki, Product Development and Formulation Manager in Skretting Japan.

Sustain feed was introduced in Japan in 2006 with fishmeal at 40%. Hamasaki believes that 2010 can be a turning point for Japanese aquaculture, accepting that a feed with 30% fishmeal can be just as productive as the conventional feeds.

To prove it is possible for yellowtail to grow well on feeds with only 30% fishmeal, Skretting is conducting a trial on a commercial farm in the Nagasaki region. It started last November with yellowtail around 4kg in weight.

"The farmer already reported the fish are eating the feed well and growth looks good, comparable to fish being given a 50% fishmeal diet," said Hamasaki. Sampling began in April this year.

He noted that to formulate this new Sustain feed, recent findings from Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre were used, applying AminoBalance and MicroBalance concepts to ensure the fish get all the amino acids and micro-ingredients they need for good health and growth and also added enzymes to enhance digestion.