ARS | Publication request: Report of the Plant Products in Aquafeed Strategic Planning Workshop: An integrated, interdisciplinary research roadmap for increasing utilization of plant feedstuffs in diets for carnivorous fish.

Submitted to: Fisheries Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 17, 2007
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Approximately 30 aquaculture and agronomy researchers from federal technical agencies met at the USDA National Center for Cool and Coldwater Aquaculture in Leetown, West Virginia. The goal was to develop an integrated (cross-disciplinary), strategic approach to improve understanding of the factors limiting inclusion of plant feedstuffs in the diet of carnivorous fishes. The participants drafted a roadmap of the research required to reach that goal and how that research would not only benefit the aquaculture, grain and oil-seed producers, and feed industries, but also improve supply and affordability of nutritious seafood to the consumer. The specific objectives of the conference were to define goals, performance measures, present status, and two and four year targets. Unlike earlier in human history when trial-and-error experimentation and manipulation of species led to the domestication of plants and animals, we are now poised to domesticate aquatic species thoughtfully and sustainably. The tools of genomics, including nutritional genomics, provide the opportunity not only to obtain comprehensive metabolic information about the farmed fish and their responses to various diets, but about the human nutritional value of the product. The tools are available to develop diets that are highly digestible resulting in minimal waste and minimal negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. Developing more digestible, plant-based feeds need not take thousands of years or even tens of years if industry continues to work collaboratively with researchers and funding programs, using all available technologies, to target the strategic objectives outlined here. This strategic plan marks a major departure from the historic domestication of livestock species and their diets, and outlines a collaboration and cooperation not previously seen in aquaculture nutrition research.

Technical Abstract: Approximately 30 researchers and representatives from federal technical agencies met at the USDA National Center for Cool and Coldwater Aquaculture in Leetown, West Virginia. The goal was to develop an integrated (cross-disciplinary), strategic approach to improve understanding of the factors limiting inclusion of plant feedstuffs in the diet of carnivorous fishes. A roadmap of the research required to reach that goal was drafted. The specific objectives of the conference were to define goals, performance measures, present status, and two and four year targets. The defined goals are; 1) Establish standardized research approaches and protocols for systematic evaluation of plant feedstuffs across carnivorous fish species. 2) Enhance fish germplasm and discover genes. 3) Enhance the inherent composition of crops to provide a beneficial balance of bioactive compounds in order to optimize their use in aquafeeds for carnivorous fish. 4) Improve understanding of the interactions between plant-based diets and intestinal microflora and their effects on the intestinal morphology, nutrient transport, gut-associated immune responses, and disease resistance in carnivorous fish species. 5) Improve and optimize ingredient processing, feed manufacturing technology, and feed formulations to increase inclusion of plant-derived ingredients in the diet of carnivorous fish. 6) Optimize the storage, nutritional and sensory quality of aquaculture species for human consumption. 7) Establish an international communications network for research on optimizing plant products in aquafeeds. This strategic plan marks a major departure from the historic domestication of livestock species and their diets, and outlines a collaboration and cooperation not previously seen in aquaculture nutrition research.