IFOP explained that the process
of making the new feed involves combining various algae
mixtures with nitrogen to generate a premix product.
One of the main areas of research is cost effectiveness. It
appears that using this type of food could reduce domestic
farmed salmon production costs by three to four per cent,
depending on the species.
The new feed could also bring
about a 1.4 to 1.35 per cent reduction in food conversion,
and a two per cent decrease in the overall mortality rate
during the productive cycle, which in turn could lead to
increased exports.
These benefits could be
highly significant for the Chilean farmed salmon sector, as
it is one of the most important in the world.
International collaborators
Doctor Sungchul Bai, of the Punkyong University (Korea) and
Doctor Jose Zertuche of the
Universidad Autónoma de Baja
California (Mexico) will be participating in the
project.
The business sector is also
involved with the algae meal, food and aquaculture producers
Prodalmar Ltda.,
Alitec, Cultivos Marinos
Chiloé and Yadrán SA, all cooperating with the research.
The scientists add that the
new feed will not only benefit the aquaculture sector. The
lower conversion factor will reduce environmental impact and
manufacturing this new feed will also promote algae
extraction as demand for the raw product increases.
By Patricia Loru
FIS Latino
Photo courtesy of:-
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