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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294249
Title: Replacement of fish meal with black soldier fly meal in practical diets for Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Author
item CUMMINS, VAUN - Kentucky State University
item VELASQUEZ, ALEJANDRO - Kentucky State University
item THOMPSON, KENNETH - Kentucky State University
item Rawles, Steven - Steve
item COURTRIGHT, GLEN - Kentucky State University
item Webster, Carl

Submitted to: Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2013
Publication Date: 2/21/2013
Citation: Cummins, V.C., Velasquez, A., Thompson, K.R., Rawles, S.D., Courtright, G., Webster, C.D. 2013. Replacement of fish meal with black soldier fly meal in practical diets for Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei [abstract]. Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America: Strike a Chord for Sustainable Aquaculture, February 21-25, 2013, Nashville, Tennessee. p.230.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Shrimp account for 15 percent of the total value of internationally traded fishery products, and currently are the largest single aquaculture commodity in value terms. The Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) generated USD 11 billion from a production volume of 2.7 million metric tons (mmt) in 2010. Over 90% of farmed shrimp rely on high protein compound diets containing high percentages of marine fishmeal (FM) as the primary dietary protein source. Typically, the inclusion of FM in shrimp diets is 25-40% of the total diet formulation, which results in higher diet and production costs. Diet costs account for between 50-80% of operational costs, and thus directly influences profitability. In addition, retailers and consumers have begun to consider the environmental sustainability and health benefits of the foods they purchase, and there is growing concern regarding the sustainability of aquaculture practices that utilize high percentages of marine inputs, and/or deteriorate the natural environment. Fishmeal is a finite resource, and for the past 20 years its global production has remained relatively static at approximately 5-7 mmt. The stasis of fishmeal production is paralleled by the growth of the aquaculture industry during this same timeframe, and the scarcity and rising cost of FM make it imperative to examine sustainable, equally nutritious, and economical alternative protein sources. Black soldier fly meal, produced from the prepupae of Hermetia illucens has shown promise as a fishmeal replacement in diets for rainbow trout, catfish and tilapia, but has not been examined as an alternative protein source in shrimp diets. A 63-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate black soldier fly larvae Hermetia illucens (BSF) as an alternative protein ingredient to replace FM as the primary protein source in practical diets for Pacific whiteleg shrimp. Juvenile shrimp averaging 1.24 g were stocked into 18 110-L aquaria at a density of 15 shrimp per aquarium (50/m2). Six isonitrogenous (35% crude protein as fed) and isoenergetic diets were fed to shrimp, with all experimental diets containing 23% soybean meal (SBM). Diet 1 (the control) was formulated similarly to a commercially available diet with 25% menhaden fish meal (FM) and 23% soybean meal (SBM); Diets 2-5 were formulated to partially replace FM with BSF at inclusion rates of 7%, 14%, 21%, and 28%, respectively. Diet 6 was formulated to completely replace FM with inclusion of 36% BSF. Results from this study are forthcoming and data will be presented upon completion of the trial.