Soybeans are becoming an increasingly important part of sustainable aquaculture, functioning as a popular fish feed ingredient, and could also help the environment, says the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC).
Soy is a renewable plant protein ingredient with an amino acid complex that meets the nutritional needs of the majority of freshwater fish species.
The USSEC says soy-based fish feeds offer a variety of advantages for sustainable aquaculture including the fact that it’s renewable. “Replacing a portion of wild-caught fishmeal and fish oil with soy can help reduce pressure on wild fish resources while offering an efficient, affordable and renewable food source.”
The USSEC also says it’s efficient: When it comes to feed, protein and nutrient-rich soy-based feeds are specially formulated to grow fish efficiently, with less waste.”
“New soy formulations can replace up to half of the fishmeal in feeds for many marine farmed species, and all of it in feeds for some freshwater farmed species. Soybean meal is produced in a range of protein levels that fit the needs of the aquaculture industry.”
Aquaculture research on soy-based fish feed and feeding demonstrations projects have been carried our by the USSEC. Through the Council, the US soy industry actively works with fish farmers to promote environmentally friendly aquaculture production techniques that help feed the world sustainably.
For more information visit www.soyaqua.org
