May 27, 2016

BioMar  to launch sustainable omega-3 fish feed

The BioMar Group is now launching a fish feed containing marine fatty acids from microalgae.

It was recently announced that a whole algae ingredient with an extra high marine omega-3 content was being tested for use in fish feed. This algae ingredient secures greater access for aquaculture to essential marine omega-3 fatty acids.

Essential fatty acids extracted from microalgae are now available for the first time in significant quantities, from a sustainable source that is not based on marine harvesting. The importance of aquaculture in meeting global food needs is increasing and this expansion of the industry is driving demand for omega-3. Over time, the algae ingredient will ease the pressure on marine resources and help ensure that the availability of omega-3 will no longer restrict development.

The new algae ingredient has been developed by TerraVia Holdings ("TerraVia") and Bunge Limited ("Bunge") and is produced at their joint venture renewable oils manufacturing plant in Brazil.

Annual production of fish oil rich in omega-3 is less than one million tonnes. The global supply of omega-3 sourced from fisheries is not expected to increase. BioMar therefore regards the algae ingredient as a game changer that will be of vital importance to the future development of the fish farming industry.

BioMar's Vice President North Sea, Jan Sverre Røsstad, explains, "Current sustainable and certified sources of omega-3 are limited in terms of volume, be it fish meal and oil or krill meal, which BioMar was a prime mover in introducing into the aquaculture. We are very excited that our collaboration with TerraVia and Bunge has put us in a position to draw on yet another sustainable source of omega-3. Our hope is that this move on our part can contribute to the continued growth of our industry."