Aquaculture Europe 2026 Highlights Trends in Aquafeed Nutrition

Traditionally, aquafeed research centered on alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil. At AE2026, the focus expanded beyond simple substitutions to include how nutrients are utilized, the performance of diets under stress conditions, and the impact of feed on water quality and the overall environmental footprint. This shift indicates a growing interest in formulating feeds for performance, resilience, and efficiency under real-world production conditions.

Alternative ingredients remain critical in research, but with evolving questions. Instead of merely assessing whether fishmeal can be replaced, studies explored optimal inclusion levels, palatability, and the added value of new ingredients. For instance, dsm-firmenich's Protopia single-cell protein (SCP) was tested at various inclusion rates in rainbow trout, showing comparable growth while improving amino acid digestibility at higher levels. However, challenges arise with higher inclusions, as evidenced by Unibio and Lucta’s findings on Uniprotein® in whiteleg shrimp, where growth declined at higher inclusion without palatability enhancement.

Research is also addressing resilience in changing environments. Studies assessed how nutrition helps fish and shrimp cope with environmental stresses like hypoxia and temperature changes. Research by INRAE and Aker QRILL focused on the effects of dietary krill meal on rainbow trout under chronic hypoxia, indicating potential benefits for physiological resilience.

Another prominent theme is optimizing nutrient utilization. For example, Adisseo demonstrated the impact of a marine peptide concentrate in European seabass, which improved growth and feed efficiency despite reductions in high-quality fishmeal. Skretting’s research highlighted the seasonal impacts on vitamin D metabolism in Atlantic salmon, suggesting that nutrient supply should consider environmental conditions.

Plant-derived bioactives are gaining attention for their potential health benefits. Anpario's study on oregano essential oil in Nile tilapia explored its role in enhancing disease resistance, while research on grape-derived polyphenols examined their effects against thermal stress in rainbow trout.

Additionally, feed performance is being evaluated in relation to waste management and water quality. A study at the University of Lorraine investigated the use of lignocellulose in trout diets, aiming to improve fecal integrity and reduce water pollution. Further evaluations by Borregaard on pellet stability highlighted the importance of feed physical properties in maintaining water quality.

Sustainable aquafeeds are now assessed based on the overall performance of the production process rather than just the environmental profile of ingredients. Research by Veramaris, dsm-firmenich, and others demonstrated that improved dietary fats for whiteleg shrimp led to better growth and survival, subsequently reducing carbon footprints in production.

The findings from AE2026 indicate that aquafeed innovation is evolving beyond searching for singular breakthrough ingredients. Instead, the focus is shifting towards how ingredients function together within complex biological, economic, and environmental constraints. The future of aquafeed nutrition appears to lie in a more integrated approach, emphasizing not only growth and feed conversion but also resilience, waste management, water quality, and overall environmental impact.