Sustainable and safe use of animal by-products (ABP) in fish feed

The discussion on sustainable use of marine feed ingredients and the limited marine resources available for the expected growth of aquaculture has lead to national and international research on the development of replacement diets. Within the EU, the rese arch has concentrated on the replacement with plant ingredients (Norwegian involvement in EU-projects RAFOA, GUTINTERGITY & AQUAMAX). Clearly, plant oil and meal replacement has limitations such as volume and protein content (meal), anti-nutrient factors, price/availability, and discussion on sustainability (use of forest and food production areas). Animal by-products (ABP) are a valuable replacement products that has been publically researched since the early 70thies. Although widely used in salmon cultu re in Northern America (Canada) and South America (Chile), ABP use has been non-existing in the EU (including Norway) after food safety issues such as BSE. Recently, the EU (DG SANCO) has opened the possibilities on use of poultry and swine by products in fish feeds if proven these are free of ruminant proteins. The use of ABP will need public research before its use will be fully accepted as feed ingredient for the salmon producers, legislative organs, and the general public (consumer organizations). Cha llenges are within its basal effect on fish nutrition, fish health, and food safety. For the latter, several feed enhancers and/or veterinary drugs are used in poultry and swine industry that are not permitted to be used in salmon culture. Use of ABP migh t introduce antropogenic residues that are normally not present in salmon culture. The present project focus on the suitability of selected ABP feed ingredients to further replace fish meal and oils in feed for Atlantic salmon farming with respect to biol ogical performance, fish health, environmental aspects, and end product quality and safety.