Utilization of Fish Waste and By-Products for Fish Meal Production as a Potential Feed Ingredient, Fish Waste to Valuable Products: Recent Applications and Research Update

Fishmeal is an important component in animal feeds for a variety of reasons. They serve as a primary protein source for animal feeds. In addition to acting as a strong attractant in feed, it is nutrient-dense and provides a highly digestible source of amino acids and essential omega-3 fatty acids. Fishmeal remains one of the most nutritionally balanced components for aquafeed, piglet, and pet diets, despite fast ingredient innovation around the world. Protein is required in all types of animal feed, and the quality of protein distinguishes one ingredient from another. Essential amino acids must be provided in the meal to promote growth. Plant-based concentrates and meals may be high in protein, but they lack some critical amino acids like lysine, methionine, and cysteine, which are abundant in fishmeal. The excellent fatty acid profile of fishmeal is another reason for utilizing fishmeal as a feed ingredient. When raw fish is processed into fishmeal, the majority of the fish oil is removed, leaving between 6 and 10% fat by weight in the meal. This percentage supplies important polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly vital omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). Fishmeal output, which is crucial to the animal feed industry, has remained relatively steady year over year, while demand continues to increase rapidly. The amount of ocean-caught fish meal has dropped, while the amount of fishmeal made from processing wastes, filet trims, and offal has increased. Around 30% of the fishmeal produced globally is made from trimmings that have been up-cycled into sustainable fishmeal, contributing to 51% of all fishmeal produced globally. To meet up the demand for fish meals for the feed industry, efficient utilization of fish wastes, bycatch, and processing wastes for fish meal production via energy-efficient technologies are needed.