Fish feed is characterised by a high content of protein and energy (fat) and produced with a high-tech extrusion process. Traditionally, fish feed has depended to a large extent on marine raw materials, fishmeal and fish oil, as they provide high amounts of digestible protein and fat. Partial replacement of fish meal and fish oil is feasible and necessary, as marine resources are limited. Partial replacement has in general no effect on fish quality. Still, major research efforts are required to further reduce the dependency on marine raw materials.

Furthermore, certain environmental pollutants can pose a threat as they bio-accumulate in the marine food chain and also end up in fish meal and fish oil. Relevant examples are PCBs and dioxins that have been released by human activity,  and now can be detected in fish meal and fish oil from. New technology is needed to remove contaminants from those fish meal and fish oil in the future in order to produce safe fish feed and aquaculture foods that meets European Union (EU) legislation.

Food safety receives top priority in the EU with special attention for animal feed, meat and fish products. EU legislation for (fish) feed will need to be addressed, implemented and enforced. The EU Commission is more aware of the special status of fish feed than it was in the past. Dioxin legislation is a good example and even more focus is to be expected in the area of improving feed hygiene and reducing undesirable substances. The fish feed industry will be pro-active in this process and as a first initiative a special fish feed committee will be established in FEFAC in 2003.

Arjen Roem is currently nutrition manager for the Skretting fish feed plants in continental Europe. For the past 14 years he has held various positions in research and product development in Skretting. His expertise is in alternative protein & oil feedstuffs, vitamin nutrition and food safety for a number of fish species. He is Dutch and received his education in the USA (PhD in fish nutrition) and The Netherlands (MSc in aquaculture).

Dr. Arjen Roem, Nutrition Manager, Skretting Europe. Le Pont de Pierre, 02140 Fontaine les Vervins, France. Tel/Fax: + 33 323 91 3420/21. E-mail: arjen.roem@nutreco.com