Optimised enzyme dosing to reduce phosphorus emissions from aquaculture (114700)

This project aims to enhance sustainability in the aquaculture industry by developing and testing fish feed that reduces phosphorus (P) emissions year-round.

Phosphorus emissions from aquaculture come from the phosphorus in the compound feed that the fish either do not absorb or retain. This can be addressed by adding an enzyme called phytase to the feed, which helps the fish absorb plant-bound phosphorus in their diet. This allows the total phosphorus content in the feed to be reduced while still meeting the fish's nutritional needs, thereby reducing the amount of phosphorus they release into the water.

The project will conduct research and testing to examine how enzyme dosing affects phosphorus excretion from rainbow trout farmed at different temperatures and salinities relevant to the industry. The ultimate goal is to develop more environmentally sustainable fish feed that reduces the industry's phosphorus impact in both freshwater and saltwater farming all year round.

The project consists of four work packages (WP):
- WP1: Controlled dose-response feeding trials with rainbow trout
- WP2: Controlled temperature and salinity trials with rainbow trout fed enzyme-enriched feed.
- WP3: Low-temperature testing of enzyme-enriched feed on commercial fish farm.
- WP4: Project administration.

Funding
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Danish Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme (EMFAF).

Research area: Aquaculture