WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2025 45 formulations. Their consistent quality, nutritional superiority, and reduced environmental footprint position them as a cornerstone of the future of sustainable aquaculture, enabling the industry to grow responsibly while providing healthy seafood for a growing global population. Conclusion The journey towards a more sustainable and resilient aquaculture industry hinges on innovative solutions for feed production. Thraustochytrids stand out as a revolutionary answer to the persistent challenges of omega-3 fatty acid supply and the environmental footprint of traditional aquafeeds. These unique marine protists offer a dual advantage: they are highly efficient producers of essential long-chain omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA, which are critical for the growth, health, and nutritional quality of farmed aquatic animals, and simultaneously contribute a rich array of functional bioactives, including beneficial carotenoids and antioxidants. The continued integration of thraustochytrid-derived ingredients into aquafeeds promises to redefine the sustainability paradigm in aquaculture, ensuring that this vital food sector can continue to meet global demand responsibly and provide nutritious seafood for generations to come. Notes Kurapati Nagendrasai*, Saurav Kumar, Chundru Sri Sai Venkat, Bhautik Savaliya and Rishikesh Venkatrao Kadam, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, Maharashtra- 400061, India * Corresponding author: masternagendra123@gmail.com References Jaseera, K. V. and P. Kaladharan. 2019. Thraustochytrids in aquaculture: Can it replace fish meal in aquafeed? Aquaculture Spectrum, 2:25–27. Leyland, B., S. Leu, and S. Boussiba. 2017. Are thraustochytrids algae? Fungal Biology, 121:835–840. Marchan, L. F., K. J. L. Chang, P. D. Nichols, W. J. Mitchell, J. L. Polglase, and T. Gutierrez. 2018. Taxonomy, ecology and biotechnological applications of thraustochytrids: A review. Biotechnology Advances, 36:26–46. Parrish, C. C. 2024. Thraustochytrids and algae as sustainable sources of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for aquafeeds. Sustainability, 16:9142. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219142 Raghukumar, S. 2008. Thraustochytrid marine protists: Production of PUFAs and other emerging technologies. Marine Biotechnology, 10:631–640. Wang, Q., Y. Zhang, R. Hui, and Y. Zhu. 2024. Marine thraustochytrid: Exploration from taxonomic challenges to biotechnological applications. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11:1371713. Yamasaki, T., T. Aki, M. Shinozaki, M. Taguchi, S. Kawamoto, and K. Ono. 2006. Utilization of Shochu distillery wastewater for production of polyunsaturated fatty acids and xanthophylls using thraustochytrid. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 102:323–327. Yokochi, T., D. Honda, T. Higashihara, and T. Nakahara. 1998. Optimization of docosahexaenoic acid production by Schizochytrium limacinum SR21. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 49:72–76. DID YOU KNOW? The World Aquaculture Society Employment Service was established in 1985 to assist its membership and the international aquaculture community with current job and career information. The service is provided at no cost to businesses, academic and other non-profit institutions, NGOs, state/federal agencies, professionals and students. Besides aquaculture, other fields like fisheries, aquatic sciences, aquatic food production systems and seafood are included, along with graduate assistantships, post-docs, and internships. If you’re looking for a job or looking to fill a position, find more info here: https://www.was.org/wases/
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