ALGAE CULTURE FOR AQUAFEEDS    

Algae, both micro- and macro-algae (seaweeds) are potential future sources of ingredients for aquaculture feeds because of their high contents of proteins, oils, vitamins, carotenoids and antioxidants, as well as immune stimulating and other health promoting factors.  One major attraction of microalgae is their potential to substitute for fish oil and fish meal.  Current commercial microalgae production is relatively small-scale, globally somewhat less than 20,000 tons of biomass is produced annually by autotrophic cultures (grown in sunlight and CO₂), and approximately an equal amount by fermentation.  Microalgae production is currently mainly focused on human nutritional markets, although Spirulina, the main microalgae currently cultivated, is also used for some specialty aquafeeds. Live microalgae feeds for aquaculture are produced at and used by shrimp, bivalve and fish hatcheries and nurseries, and also produced remotely and sold to such enterprises.  Microalgae aquafeeds are also produced by dark fermentations, a rapidly growing business.   Seaweeds, with several million tons being produced commercially, is another rapidly expanding ingredient for animal and aquaculture feeds.  The aquaculture industry will benefit from these products through improved nutrition and reduced costs, while using environmentally sustainable resources and production technologies.