Introduction
It has been widely reported that investing in Omega-3 EPA & DHA rich feeds boosts fish health and consistently produces better quality whole fish and fillets across the value chain. But how do we know? And what’s the return on investment in better Omega nutrition for salmon farmers? Th e objective of this study is to help further close the gap between nutritional science and commercial feeding practice, using so-called ‘big data’.
Methods
This study compared the performance and quality differences of almost half a billion Atlantic salmon on commercial farms in Norway over a 10-year period based on varying dietary levels of EPA & DHA. The study method involved preparing large-scale, complex commercial datasets, or ‘big data’, and interrogating this with Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA) analysis to quantify the benefits of increased dietary EPA & DHA levels on salmon populations.
Results
This study confirmed that higher dietary levels of EPA & DHA lead to significant improvements across a range of production metrics, including an 8% reduction in total mortality, a 13% improvement in economic Feed Conversion Ratio (eFCR) and a 2% increase in superior quality at harvest. Improvements in predictability also increased by up to 50%. Data from processors revealed that above-average levels of EPA & DHA in fish feed consistently delivered better flesh quality , including a 7% melanosis and a 40% blood spots reduction.
Conclusions
We conclude that these results are extremely important for the salmon industry. It provides valuable insights for strategic, data-driven decision making by importers, retailers, and farmers. Any reduction in eFCR and mortality translates to improved fish health and welfare, reduced waste, and a lower environmental footprint through more efficient use of resources. Predictability improvements translate into greater control over outcomes and more reliable business. Furthermore, a reliable uptick in the superior quality at harvest and reduced melanosis and blood spots in salmon flesh mean stable, higher average selling prices along with customer satisfaction and trust. New sources of Omega-3 fatty acids help to ensure nutritional quality of feed whilst de-risking growth of the industry by diversifying the raw material basket.
References
This study builds on earlier work published in Frontiers of Marine Science Vol.11 2024: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1379066