Promoting sustainable aquaculture of freshwater species: The continuous quest for alternative feeds and adoption of feeding strategies

Abstract

Among farm inputs, feeds are the highest recurring cost in aquaculture. Indeed, feeds have become even more expensive after the COVID-19 pandemic, undeniably affecting the aquaculture economics. The pressing need to alleviate feed costs has to be prioritized, considering its implications for sustained aquaculture production to support the ever-increasing global population. Substantially, the rising costs of manufactured feeds have driven the continuous quest for new alternative feed ingredients in aquafeeds and the adoption of feed management strategies to improve the profitability of aquaculture operations. These two strategies addressed in this study are imperative in promoting freshwater aquaculture among the ASEAN Member States. This article highlights the exploration of feeding trials using alternative protein sources and feeding strategies. Because of their economic relevance to the freshwater aquaculture industry in the Philippines, Nile tilapia, giant freshwater prawn, and tropical anguillid eel, particularly the Pacific shortfin eel, were chosen in this study.