Developed by the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) through extensive trials at its research facilities in Norway and Italy, Skretting’s dedicated feeds incorporate patented functional ingredients that bind faecal matter. In RAS this means it is easier to filter and remove solid waste particles, resulting in cleaner water and a healthier system.
“Skretting continues to lead advancements in this space. Our primary aim is to help farmers produce more fish in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner,” says Dr Ingunn Stubhaug, researcher at Skretting ARC.
Skretting’s RAS feeds are designed to optimise land-based production by improving faeces quality and optimising mechanical filtration; reducing the nutrient load on biofilters through balancing high quality raw materials; and maximizing fish growth potential and health.
The company integrates the latest technology with powerful model-based testing to ensure that the RAS-specific feeds continue to advance farm productivity and cost-efficiency. These AquaSim models are built on 20 years of data and provide valuable parameters and predictive tools for comparing its feed and production practices.
Skretting recently opened a new state-of-the-art recirculation hall at their Lerang Research Station in Norway. Comprising 12 independent systems, predominantly conducting trials for salmon product development, this facility is used to investigate the impact of feeds and formulations on the biological filters in RAS.
“Many producers are looking for feed aligned with their own particular systems in terms of physical properties and behaviour. In RAS, you want the feed to reach all of the fish. You also want it to be consumed or to exit the system as quickly as possible. Consequently, some farmers want slower-sinking feeds while others want diets that move faster. This is one of the unique challenges presented by RAS and an area in which we have had a lot of success over the last decade,” says Stubhaug.
“There is a lot of diversity in closed containment aquaculture, and it’s essential that producers have the right support to meet their specific requirements. At Skretting, we’re excited to be working with more RAS suppliers and farmers to meet their future needs,” she concludes.
