The feed used in aquaculture has profound implications for wild fish populations, environmental sustainability, and the welfare of farmed fish through nutritional quality and palatability.
Aquaculture feed quality is directly linked to fish welfare through its effects on immunity, growth, skeletal development, and organ function. Nutritional deficiencies in poorly formulated diets lead to increased susceptibility to disease, skeletal deformities, cataracts, and reduced stress resilience in farmed fish. The shift toward fishmeal alternatives is necessary for sustainability but must be managed carefully to avoid inadvertently compromising fish health and welfare. Palatability and digestibility of alternative protein sources affect feed intake and nutrient absorption, and poorly accepted feeds can lead to suboptimal nutrition and associated welfare problems. Algal oils can maintain essential omega-3 content in salmon feeds, supporting brain development and stress responses linked to fish welfare.