Onda, Canadian contract aquaculture research organisation, has teamed up with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) on a new research project focused on using canola-based feed for sustainable aquaculture. The initiative aims to improve the sustainability of aquaculture production and expand the market for Canadian canola.
The project is part of the Canola AgriScience Cluster, a five-year research program funded under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The initiative includes contributions from CCC, Alberta Canola, SaskOilseeds, Manitoba Canola Growers, and the Ontario Canola Growers Association. The program will support 17 collaborative research projects across Canada.
The 18-month study will explore the use of Canadian canola meal in fish feed, evaluating its impact on fish growth, disease resistance, and environmental sustainability. The research will update nutrient digestibility values and conduct a life cycle analysis of canola meal in salmon feed. Onda’s Nutrition, Health, FeedTech, and LabTech teams will lead the study, which will culminate in shared findings for the aquaculture community.
Onda CEO Myrna Gillis emphasized the growing need for sustainable aquaculture practices to address the rising global demand for seafood, as aquaculture has become a critical source of protein globally. Chris Manchur, agronomy specialist at CCC, noted that the research aims to improve understanding of canola meal’s nutritional value in aquaculture and enhance market opportunities for Canadian canola.
Canola meal is seen as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to marine-based ingredients in fish feed due to its amino acid profile, market availability, and environmental benefits. The long production cycle of salmon provides a significant opportunity for using canola meal in feed formulations.
Onda has a history of evaluating plant-based ingredients in fish feed, and this collaboration builds on its expertise in aquaculture nutrition. The project will also leverage CCC’s knowledge of canola production to further understand canola’s potential as a key ingredient in high-performance aquaculture feed. The research is expected to contribute to more sustainable practices in aquaculture, helping the industry reduce its reliance on marine-based feed ingredients.
