Improving feed sustainability for marine aquaculture in Vietnam and Australia

This project studied issues related to diet development and low-value fish replacement, and brought together a collective of important aquaculture sectors in Vietnam. The key subjects for study were fin fish (barramundi/Asian seabass, grouper and cobia), mud crabs and spiny lobster. The research team sought to identify the extent of feed ingredient resource risks and the barriers (perceived and real) to adoption of manufactured feed by marine aquaculture sectors.

Three previous ACIAR projects have focused on nutrition of important aquaculture species. This new project profited from the results of the earlier projects and combined research efforts into the main issue in common - the reliance on low-value fish as the main feed source for aquaculture.

Understanding the risks (scientific, social, economic and environmental) gave the team a platform for developing strategies to address them - ideally leading to greater adoption of manufactured feed in Vietnam and improved use of alternative raw materials in both Vietnam and Australia. Having one collective project ensured maximisation of resource-sharing and knowledge transfer among both the Vietnamese and Australian collaborators.