Maja Bævre-Jensen: On the Road for More Sustainable Aquaculture

Written by QRILL Aqua

How do you convince experienced fish farmers along the Norwegian coast to experiment with their feedstock? You go and meet them.

Fish farmers are experts in their location. They know the tide, the underwater streams and the temperature fluctuations. They are used to acting on gut instinct, tacit knowledge, and existing relationships. But they are also increasingly used to handling digital monitoring and support systems.

Sustainability on the agenda

Sustainability tops the agenda for fish farmers all over Norway. They look to minimize adverse environmental impact, safeguard fish health, and optimize resource utilization.

At QRILL Aqua, we wanted to spread the word about how sustainably sourced Antarctic krill can help fish farmers improve both their operations and their sustainability impact. Our goal was to raise awareness about the sustainable feed ingredients already available and talk about how these ingredients can enhance their operations – a top priority across the industry. And the best way to get this done was to simply go out and meet them.

A tour along the Norwegian coastline

From March to November 2023, a dedicated team of Aker BioMarine experts and representatives of raw material suppliers Alltech and Corbion went on a journey to 11 locations along Norway's long and beautiful coastline. Not to sell a product, but to engage in an ongoing and important conversation about sustainability – and how feed can play a key role in making this industry more sustainable.

Our journey took us to carefully selected locations, each chosen for its significance to the aquaculture community. These seminars weren't just meetings; they were vibrant gatherings where ideas flowed, and new perspectives were gained. We shared, we learned, and most importantly, we connected with the people at the heart of the industry.

In total, we met with close to 40 companies and more than 150 individuals within the aquaculture industry over these months.

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What did we learn?

Our seminars did more than just introduce QRILL; they sparked conversations about sustainability, responsible sourcing, and the future of fish farming. We discussed everything from bycatch concerns to the importance of local, sustainable fisheries. The breeders' commitment to their communities and the environment was clear and deeply inspiring.

In the time since our visits with the farmers, we’ve heard that several farmers have approached their feed companies to discuss feed ingredients. This is a good sign that there is growing awareness about the sustainability and nutrition of the feed, both for profitability as well as environmental reasons.

A mission for Norway

Sustainable feed is also important for the world. In fact, it is one of the missions set by Norway's politicians for the country's research and development efforts of the coming years. Significant investments are now being made to further this agenda.

Join the conversation

We're excited about what lies ahead as we wrap up this chapter. But the journey doesn't end here. We're already planning our next steps, reaching out to more areas in 2024, and exploring new ways to collaborate and innovate. The potential for a sustainable future in aquaculture is vast, and together, we're making it a reality.

We invite you to be part of this exciting journey. Whether you're a breeder, a sustainability enthusiast, or simply someone who cares about our oceans, there's a place for you in this conversation. Let's work together to create a future where aquaculture thrives in harmony with our planet.

Why krill is an important player in the future protein solution

The globe is facing serious challenges. Our planet currently faces a triple threat of global warming, overpopulation, and exploitation of resources, creating a scenario that puts our future food supply in jeopardy. Among the greatest challenges is finding good sources of proteins. Proteins serves as fundamental building blocks for cells and tissues – making them essential for all living organisms. Animals need it for the muscles, blood cells, immune cells, and the overall bodily functions, like growth and development. Humans and fish alike need to consume proteins regularly to get the energy and nutrition needed to grow and function.

Krill meal supports better aquaculture outcomes during challenging winter season

In many salmon producing countries, winter is a time of cold-water temperatures and stormy weather. These conditions may cause stress and challenge fish welfare, as salmon becomes more vulnerable due to the reduced state of its immune system under cold temperatures. Ensuring that the feed is attractive and that important nutrients are easily accessible to the fish may support the salmon in withstanding these challenging conditions. A robust fish is better equipped to avoid disease and will more quickly recover following any sickness or stressful events.

Why Is Krill Increasingly Relevant On The Market

Fish meal and fish oil have long been staple ingredients in aquafeeds – serving as dependable sources of nutrition for developing fish. But over several years, the supply of these ingredients has grown increasingly limited, reaching peak scarcity in 2023 upon the cancellation of the anchovy fishing season in Peru.