The sustainability of marine raw materials, fishmeal and fish oil, used in fish feed is a key challenge for aquaculture and its future development.
Therefore the sourcing of these raw materials by feed suppliers is a topic of concern for Marine Harvest.
We purchase our feed from reliable suppliers that have a responsible approach to raw materials sourcing and we work with these suppliers to improve the sustainability of the feed chain.
Fishmeal and fish oil are limited resources that come from the wild fish catch, either directly from the industrial fisheries or from trimmings from fish processed for human consumption. More information on their origin and sustainable sourcing can be found on the websites of the leading fish feed companies.
Alternative raw materials are required if aquaculture is to continue growing. Our aim is therefore to work with the feed suppliers to reduce the levels of fishmeal and fish oil we require in fish feeds without compromising fish welfare, fish performance and the quality of the final product. Research has demonstrated that substitution levels for fish oil can exceed 50%.
Further progress in implementing substitution is inhibited by resistance in some markets to fish feeds that use non-marine protein and oil.
In Marine Harvest, we are constantly working to improve the feed conversion ratios in our production — that is the growth made by the fish in relation to the feed they are given.
By implementing the knowledge we have, the best Marine Harvest salmon farms are achieving feed conversion ratios close to 1kg of feed for 1kg of fish.