A recent study found that replacing fishmeal with alternative proteins in aquafeeds does not lead to measurable changes in the body shape of Atlantic salmon in the short term. The study’s findings may impact the marketability of farmed salmon, as appearance is a key factor in consumer preference.
Body shape plays a significant role in consumer perception and market value, with buyers often associating certain shapes with quality and authenticity. Well-proportioned salmon are in demand, and consumers are willing to pay higher prices for fish that resemble their wild counterparts.
The study, part of the F3 – Future of Fish Feed research trial, examined the body shape of post-smolt salmon fed diets with control, plant protein, and animal protein-based ingredients. Researchers analysed body shape variations using 2D body landmarks and found slight differences in body shape at the base of the pectoral and pelvic fins between the plant- and animal-protein groups. However, these differences were not significant enough to draw conclusions regarding dietary origins.
The 90-day experiment did not find enough evidence to suggest that alternative proteins influence body shape significantly. The results may help validate fishmeal- and fish oil-free diets, which are gaining interest due to the rising cost and availability concerns surrounding traditional fishmeal.
As the demand for alternative ingredients grows, the study suggests that future research should involve larger sample sizes and longer trial durations to better assess the impact of plant proteins on salmon body shape.
