Agricultural by-products as part of an aquaculture-based circular economy: Nutrition, sustainability and economics

Aquaculture faces sustainability concerns with respect to the sourcing of protein meals such as fish meal and soybean meal for aquafeeds. Processed animal proteins are a protein rich waste stream from the agriculture industry which could act as sustainable alternatives to conventional aquafeed ingredients. This thesis examines the regulations surrounding processed animal proteins as well as the nutritional, sustainability and economic benefits of implementing this circular economy. The shelf-life stability of these feather and poultry meal products was assessed while feeding trials on two globally important aquaculture species were conducted using these products. The trials examined growth performance, feed utilisation as well as several health indicators. Results found that both feather meal and poultry meal are promising protein replacers in aquafeeds and in many cases have advantages over conventional soy protein concentrate. In addition to this, the cost of these feed ingredients is comparably low which allows for uptake in both low- and high-income regions. This thesis has concluded that as part of an effort to increase global food security, the utilisation of processed animal proteins through a ‘waste to wealth’ approach will be crucial in maintaining aquaculture output.

Funder

Irish Reseach Council
JG Pears

Publisher

University of Galway

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

cbn

Collections

University of Galway Theses (PhD Theses)