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Seaweed-fed salmon can improve human health

Toine Wilke, health food specialist at Ocean Harvest Technology Ltd

The health benefits associated with the consumption of salmon are well known. In addition to being an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals, salmon represent one of the few major sources of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the human diet. Adequate intake of both these beneficial omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve cognition.

Additional potential health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids include protection against rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, depression and even some types of cancer. Notwithstanding, most people still fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels; furthermore, beneficial omega-3 levels in farmed fish are in decline ― mainly due to the increasing use of vegetable oils in fish feed.

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Most seaweed contain high levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids

These oils partially replace the conventional ― and now scarce ― fish oils; however in contrast to fish oil, contain hardly any EPA and DHA. Is it, therefore, desirable to increase the levels of EPA and DHA in fish feed and recent research has shown that this is possible by including seaweed in the salmon diet.  

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Seaweeds: the answer for future global animal production

By Dr Stefan Kraan
Scientific Director of Ocean Harvest Technology Ltd

With the world population topping 7 billion last year, and forecast to reach 9 billion in 2050, we are heading for major problems regarding food production and security.
The global aquaculture industry currently produces 50% of all seafood consumed - 6% from marine fish farming. Fish farming is still the fastest growing sector, however in order to increase production to secure food production we encounter problems.

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exotic looking Irish red seaweeds – a source of novel antibiotics

Fish meal is becoming expensive as a protein source to feed farmed fish, and there’s an urgent need for alternative resources other than plant protein. Chemical use also to combat disease is becoming an issue with contamination and residues in fish and increased resistance built up by the disease against these chemicals. With protein values ranging from 10-40% for certain seaweed species might very well be a part of the answer. Besides, seaweeds can bring with them other interesting bioactive molecules that could be applied via aquaculture feeds to replace currently used chemical ingredients such as colorants, preservatives, lice treatments and pre-mixes.

 

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Algae as a new and sustainable resource in pig farming

Stefan Kraan, Ocean Harvest Technology

In 1986, Sweden imposed a general ban on the use of antibiotics in animal feed; the ban was followed in the EU in January 2006 and in the US in 2009.
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Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalised voluntary guidance for farmers on the judicious uses of antibiotics in agriculture, and asked veterinary drug makers to voluntarily phase out medically important drugs from being available over the counter Health advocates have not relented either in their call for stronger action on the issue

On 19 September 2012, a group of 150 US scientists, including the former commissioner of the FDA, issued a statement calling on the FDA and Congress to regulate the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

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Seaweed carotenoids: diverse nutrients from the ocean

Laura Kealy, Ocean Harvest Technology

Carotenoids are organic pigments often present at significant levels in brown seaweed and other photosynthetic organisms. As powerful antioxidants, carotenoids prevent cancer, heart disease and enhance immune response to infections. Present in all algae, higher plants and photosynthetic bacteria, carotenoids are produced from fats and other basic organic metabolic building blocks by these organisms.9.3aquaculture seaweed

And although humans are incapable of synthesising carotenoids, recent research suggests that a carotenoid-rich diet can result in improved health, reduced mortality rates and a lower instance of certain chronic diseases.

Seaweed source

In the marine environment carotenoids are widely present in seaweed, the most notable being astaxanthin, β-carotene and fucoxanthin - all of which have been reported to be effective antioxidants. Algal carotenoids have been associated with the prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as certain types of cancer. As antioxidants, they protect the body from oxidative stress, a physiological state which is putatively involved in the development of cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease - to name but a few.

Antioxidant activity

Fucoxanthin has recently received considerable attention due to its wide array of beneficial effects on human health. This compound has an unusual allenic bond, which is responsible for its high antioxidant activity. It is also one of the most abundant carotenoids in nature, and contributes to more than 10% of total carotenoid production.

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Seaweed versatility showcased at international seminar

Dr Susan Steele, Innovation Co-ordinator at BIM's Seafood Development Centre describes as “incredible” the upsurge in interest in seaweed over the last two years. She puts that down to recessionary times when people start looking at natural resources not being fully utilised and seaweed especially is seen as having huge potential. She says that the proof of this is that three out of every five enquiries to the Seafood Development Centre are seaweed-related! 

Dr Steele set up the first ever seaweed-growing course worldwide while working as head of aquaculture and business training so she feels well-placed to deal with such enquiries.

This seaweed course is now FETAC accredited, and is run by Dave Millard and Pete Donlon through BIM’s regional fisheries centres.

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International seminar to showcase seaweed versatility

Dr Susan Steele, Innovation Co-ordinator at BIM's Seafood Development Centre describes as “incredible” the upsurge in interest in seaweed over the last two years. She puts that down to recessionary times when people start looking at natural resources not being fully utilised and seaweed especially is seen as having huge potential. She says that the proof of this is that three out of every five enquiries to the Seafood Development Centre are seaweed-related! 

Dr Steele set up the first ever seaweed-growing course worldwide while working as head of aquaculture and business training so she feels well-placed to deal with such enquiries.

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Netalgae project ends but leaves foundation for sustainable European seaweed industry…

Máirtín Walsh, BIM

The Netalgae project held its final project conference in San Sebastien Spain in November, having completed the assembly of a European seaweed industry database, trade directory and website. It has also put forward ‘best practise’ guidelines for the management and regulation of Europe’s seaweed industries.

The conference covered access to raw materials; aquaculture; best practices for harvesting; and the potential for new, value-added products from seaweed, and was well attended by European delegates from small and large businesses.  Ireland was represented companies including Arramara Teo; Ocean Harvest Technology; Cybercolloids as well as the Irish Seaweed Research Group at NUI Galway.

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Deep-sea salmon farm project on target

BIM has confirmed that its proposal to site a large salmon farm in deep water in Galway Bay remains on schedule despite what it claims is a concerted campaign of misinformation by some who oppose the project on the grounds of scale and long-term environmental impact.

Donal Maguire, BIM’s Aquaculture Development Manager confirmed to Inshore Ireland that the Galway Bay proposal had already completed its Statutory Consultation phase and had almost come through its Public Consultation phase, which ends on December 12.

He added that this proposal was one of three that the agency would be submitting for a licence, and that it was also the first time they had undertaken a project of this type.

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Decision awaited on salmon farm licence

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With completion in December of the Public Consultation phase for BIM’s proposed €60 million deep water salmon farm in Galway Bay, all eyes are now firmly on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine where Minister Coveney is faced with the unenviable task of having to decide whether or not to grant an aquaculture licence.

For those in the aquaculture industry, rejection of the application will be regarded as the death-knell for Ireland’s already ailing fin-fish farming sector, where annual production more or less flat-lined some years ago and has been on virtual life-support for some time - mainly as a result of tough but necessary EU environmental directives.