Nutrition and Feeding : Knowledge acquisition and transfer of knowhow in feed production and management strategies
By Dr.S.Kaushik, IFREMER-INRA, Fish Nutrition Laboratory, 64310 Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle France

Abstract

All animal production depends on a controlled management of feeding practices which should provide for the essential nutrients and energy in the most acceptable form and manner. Aquaculture has a major role in ensuring nutritional security of humans. Irrespective of the culture system, economic as well as biological viability are dependent on the provision of the most adequate feed supply. Although a large variety of species are involved in aquaculture, our knowledge on the nutrition and feeding is limited to a few major groups. But, it is generally accepted that, in the absence of definitive information with regard to a particular species, much can be learnt from other closely related biological models. From a practical point of view, it is necessary to evaluate how far the variety of practices already in use have proved themselves to be efficient in serving aquaculture in a sustainable manner. The aim of this session will be a) to stress the importance of sound nutrition and feeding on most issues facing the aquaculture such as productivity, environmental and product quality and food safety; b) to illustrate the functional role of nutrition in ensuring complete domestication including reproductive success and larval development and c) to discuss on how far existing know-how can be extended to other species and situations d) to evaluate the potential for alternative protein/oil sources for fishmeal and fish oil.