Fish feed giant Skretting on Wednesday reported that its new Sustain fish feed, which contains only 30 percent fishmeal, has made inroads into the Japanese yellowtail-farming industry.
The Norwegian company introduced New Sustain YT to the Japanese market this spring, and Japanese fish farmers are beginning to recognize the importance of curbing fishmeal use, which, if anything, will make them less vulnerable to fluctuating fishmeal costs.
“Japan feeds usually have fishmeal contents over 50 percent, even up to 60 percent,” said Yuta Hamasaki, product development and formulation manager for Skretting Japan. “The original Sustain was an important step for the Japanese market, with fishmeal at 40 percent. It has established a good position in the market and we believe 2010 can be a turning point for Japanese aquaculture, accepting that a feed with 30 percent fishmeal can be just as productive as the conventional feeds.”
To prove that yellowtail can grow well on a 30 percent fishmeal diet, Skretting has been conducting a trial on a North Kyushu Island farm since last November. “The farmer already reported the fish are eating the feed well and growth looks good, comparable to fish being given a 50 percent fishmeal diet,” said Hamasaki.
Skretting is also testing a bluefin tuna feed in Japan, Spain and Turkey, the company announced last week.
All Aquaculture stories >