Advances in the Use of Alternative Protein Sources for Fish Feeds

Sayooj, P and Nair, V Anusree and Parvathy, M S (2026) Advances in the Use of Alternative Protein Sources for Fish Feeds. In: Beyond Blue Horizons Training Manual for BSc (Agri) students of Kerala Agricultural University. ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, pp. 125-131.

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Abstract

Aquaculture industry has experienced significant growth in recent decades, and has become a major contributor to global fish consumption. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO 2022), approximately half of the world's fish consumption comes from aquaculture. However, this growth has brought about challenges, particularly in terms of feed production and sustainability. Among the different dietary components, protein is the single most important and expensive nutrient in fish feed, typically accounting for 30 50% of the diet. It plays a vital role not only in supporting growth and tissue development but also in maintaining immune competence, reproduction and overall health. Unlike terrestrial animals, fish have limited capacity to utilize carbohydrates and often depend more heavily on dietary protein for both energy and structural functions, making the choice of `protein source critical for aquaculture productivity and profitability. Conventional aquaculture feeds often contain expensive and potentially unsustainable ingredients such as fishmeal, soya bean meal etc., which are facing increasing demand and limited availability. To address these challenges, researchers have been actively seeking alternative feed ingredients to reduce the production costs and address sustainability concerns while meeting the nutritional requirements of aquatic organisms (Maulu et al., 2022, Xiong et al., 201). This focus on developing sustainable and cost-effective feed alternatives which are crucial for the continued growth and long-term viability of the aquaculture industry.

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