Preliminary evaluation of meatmeal in aquaculture diets for silver perch

Summary

The replacement of fishmeal in aquaculture diets is recognised as a major international research priority. Most aquaculture diets are based primarily on fishmeal, although this protein source is expensive, decreasing in availability and mostly imported to Australia. Meatmeal and meat products are produced in abundance in Australia (over 470,000 t/yr) and are a relatively inexpensive source of protein. They have potential for use in Australian aquaculture feeds, and for export for use in the enormous global aquaculture feed industry. The market for aquaculture feeds in Asia is estimated to be approximately 2.6 million tonnes per year.