News & Views Business Management Fish Health Fish Nutrition Nutrition & Feed products
Atlantic Sapphire, Skretting, and Veramaris join forces for algal oil feed project

Land-based salmon producer Atlantic Sapphire, global animal feed company Skretting, and algal oil producer Veramaris are working on a project to cut fish oil content in salmon feed.

The Florida-based aquaculture company announced that it has agreed to include Veramaris ASC-MSC-certified sustainable algal oil in its salmon feed beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021.

The move will cut fish oil content in Atlantic Sapphire’s salmon feed by approximately 25 per cent and accelerate the elimination of marine-derived feed ingredients by 2025.

“Having a sustainable EPA and DHA alternative for our feed is critical in helping us achieve our ambition of having zero impact on the oceans,” said Johan Andreassen, CEO of Atlantic Sapphire.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are required to maintain good health for fish and humans. EPA and DHA are abundant in abundant in fish, shellfish, and some algae.

The large-scale use of fishmeal and fish oil for fish feed threatens wild fish stocks. In recent years, there has been a move towards developing fish feed that uses alternative ingredients.

Veramaris, produces fish-free EPA and DHA omega-3 oils used by commercial salmon, shrimp and bream farms.

“We are excited to be part of Atlantic Sapphire’s journey,” said Karim Kurmaly, CEO of Veramaris. “It signals the direction the aquaculture industry is taking to become more sustainable while delivering on the documented value of salmon as part of a healthy and balanced diet.”

In December 2021, Skretting announced plans to build a new feed facility close to Atlantic Sapphire’s Bluehouse in Florida. The aim is to lower the cost and footprint of the feed.

“We have pioneered research and development (R&D) to reduce marine ingredients in feed for over a decade; now, combined with our expertise in the highest quality feeds for land-based aquaculture, we have formulated a specific diet for Atlantic Sapphire containing Veramaris algal oil,” said Therese Log Bergjord, CEO of Skretting.