Exploring Sustainable Animal Protein Sources for Shrimp Aquaculture in India

Aquaculture will contribute 52% of global fish production by 2025, up from its present 47% share as per the projections. The most cultivated crustacean in the world, the Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), accounted for 11.96% of the world’s aquaculture output in 2020 and has become a prominent species in the worldwide aquatic trade. The single most important input in aquaculture production is feed. To reach the anticipated fish production, the growth of the aquafeed sector must correspond with the advancement of aquaculture practices. Fishmeal is often thought to be the primary source of nutrient-rich protein for making aquafeed. It is not advisable to rely solely on fishmeal because of the current rise in prices brought on by a fall in supply and a rise in demand. We can therefore investigate and utilize a variety of animal protein sources in shrimp aquaculture. The many sources of animal protein covered in this chapter are as follows: insect meal, earthworm meal, silkworm pupae meal, maggot meal, fish protein hydrolysate, feather meal, poultry by-product meal, meat and bone meal, blood meal, and krill meal. Shrimps develop faster and can withstand more stress because of the high protein content of earthworm and insect meals. Shrimps’ vibrant color is enhanced by astaxanthin, a pigment found in krill meal and silkworm pupae meal. The rapid availability of amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients from different protein sources, along with the peptides from fish protein hydrolysate, support the immune system, growth, palatability, reproduction, and general health of shrimp.