Editorial
Broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough recently called for everyone to protect oceans from “the deadly threat of plastic”. This rally cry has caused discussion worldwide, with some people trying to interpret it and be more specific about single industries.
At IFFO, we firmly believe that change can happen by gathering -and sharing- more knowledge. “Very few scientific works have investigated the ecological effects of microplastics at population or species assemblage level in aquatic environments and hence there is limited knowledge on the capacity of microplastics to alter ecological processes, nor direct evidence of trophic transfer of microplastics in wild populations.” (FAO, 2019). IFFO is aiming to have all scientific projects supporting one or more of the UNSDG’s and is about to launch a research project to understand better the implications of plastics for fisheries and aquaculture resources.
Science holds the key to our future and will help us shape the Marine Ingredients Industry in the coming years. Much focus has been given to additional novel ingredients in the industry media lately and how these ingredients will challenge the market. Market will decide but fishmeal and fish oil are, and will be, the nutritional benchmark for all additional raw material for aquafeed. As an example, scientists recently highlighted that a high volume of proteins and micro nutrients contained in fish oil protects and improves animal (fish) health. More specifically, as Nofima put it, “the barrier tissue of salmon is affected by zinc and omega-3”. And I am convinced that the importance of natural highly nutritional marine ingredients will only be more visible as the aquaculture production will have to grow to meet the need for healthy proteins.
Obviously, the use of marine ingredients has been evolving over the years. As stated by the FAO, “fishmeal and fish oil will be more frequently used as strategic ingredients to enhance growth at specific stages of fish or livestock production, as they are considered the most nutritious and most digestible ingredients for fish and livestock breeding” (Agricultural Outlook, 2019).
Beyond funding research works and sharing the outcomes, we are working closely with all stakeholders, in particular with IFFO RS, to make sure that best practice in Marine Ingredients are constantly championed.
Petter M Johannessen, Director General
The August 2019 issue covered the following topics: