Windfall for by-products project
A new project that aims to unlock the potential of marine by-products has been granted up to NOK 16 million (£1.51m) in funding over the next four years.
Called Unlocking the nutritional and technical Quality potential of MARine by-products in sustainable salmonid feeds (QMAR) its industrial participants include Biomar, Aker Biomarine, Pelagia and Norsildmel; while the research partners are Nofima, the University of Bergen and the University of California Los Angeles. Due to start in January, it is being supported by the Research Council of Norway.
QMAR aims to create efficient exploitation of under-utilised marine raw materials throughout the formulation of feeds that support high fish performance and welfare, requiring more basic and practical knowledge of metabolic functions in fish and marine meal properties.
According to Hanne Jorun Sixten, Senior Researcher at the Biomar R&D Group and QMAR project manager, the project will enable BioMar and its partners to develop ingredients and feed products based on by-products of marine raw materials. In addition, work will be conducted on understanding the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of components based on marine raw materials.
“The project will strengthen BioMar’s work on sustainability,” Hanne Jorun Sixten said. “Moreover, it will play a part in increasing the sustainability of both fisheries and aquaculture by creating incentives and solutions for fully exploiting the entire catch.”
