Summary
This field trial in Mediterranean sea cages assessed an innovative low-marine-protein diet designed to reduce environmental impact and production costs for European sea bass whilst maintaining health and welfare. Although the sustainable diet reduced specific growth rate by approximately 3% compared to conventional feed (0.67% vs 0.69% per day), fillets showed improved n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratios, minimal adverse health effects, and a potential slight enhancement in immune response. The findings suggest this alternative diet could improve environmental and economic sustainability of sea bass aquaculture despite modest trade-offs in growth performance.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted in Mediterranean sea cages and directly applies to European aquaculture conditions. The findings are relevant to United Kingdom marine aquaculture policy and practice, particularly regarding efforts to reduce environmental footprints and improve feed sustainability in intensive fish farming, though UK producers would need to adapt formulations to local regulatory and supply-chain contexts.
Key measures
Specific growth rate (% per day), fatty acid profile (n-3 and n-6 content), gut microbiota composition (Vibrio and Photobacterium abundance), humoral immunity markers, health and welfare observations
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated growth performance, gut microbiota composition, fatty acid profile, and health and welfare indicators in European sea bass fed a low marine protein diet versus conventional feed in sea cages. Key measurements included specific growth rate, fillet fatty acid composition, gut bacterial abundance, and immune markers.
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