Study on the use of grass proteins (alfalfa) in Atlantic salmon feed.
Grass proteins to feed salmon?
To reduce its dependence on soy and find local, sustainable alternatives, the aquaculture sector is exploring new avenues.
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and feed manufacturer Aller Aqua are testing the inclusion of alfalfa proteins in farmed salmon diets. Initial laboratory trials showed that fish growth was not affected, and that 5% alfalfa protein even improved certain welfare indicators. Grass proteins also influence fillet colour. These promising results pave the way for using alfalfa as a sustainable alternative to soy, and research will continue with sea-cage trials.
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Fish Welfare in Aquaculture
With the anticipated increase in fish production, the welfare of fish raised in intensive systems is raising growing ethical concerns and is expected to fuel public debate and policy discussions. Traditional methods for assessing fish welfare rely on physical, physiological, and behavioral indicators, providing information on health and biological functioning, but they have significant limitations.
Approaches based on affectivity, which use behavioral indicators to measure emotional state, are widely used in animal welfare science but remain little explored in fish. Recent advances, such as judgment bias paradigms, provide reliable tools for assessing these affective states.
By combining affective measures with health and biological functioning indicators, a multi-level approach enables a comprehensive and robust assessment of fish welfare, without being limited to a single type of evidence. The main contribution of this study is the proposal of a functional framework that prioritizes the assessment of affective state while systematically integrating and validating other measures. Aligned with current ethical and scientific standards, this approach contributes to improving the conceptualization and operationalization of fish welfare.
Given the increasing impacts of climate change, aquaculture is particularly vulnerable, necessitating the implementation of concrete and effective adaptation strategies. Strengthening the sector’s resilience involves coordinated action at various levels, from farms and local communities to research systems and governance bodies. To address this challenge, the FAO has developed Aqua-Adapt, a structured framework designed to guide the development and implementation of adaptation measures. Based on scientific data and concrete case studies, this framework provides aquaculture stakeholders with the necessary tools to anticipate risks, integrate adapted technologies, and sustainably enhance the sector’s resilience.
Aqua-Adapt draws on the conclusions of the fifth and sixth IPCC assessment reports and emphasizes reducing climate risks while offering new opportunities. The framework proposes a six-step process integrating stakeholder participation and data-driven planning. The first step involves defining the adaptation unit, which can correspond to an individual producer or a relevant geographical or geopolitical area. The second step aims to select the most appropriate climate scenarios and models. The third step involves a risk and vulnerability analysis for the chosen unit. The fourth step consists of developing an adaptation plan to reduce identified exposure and sensitivity, while strengthening adaptive capacity. The fifth step corresponds to the implementation of the strategy, while the sixth concerns continuous monitoring and evaluation to optimize the effectiveness, costs, and technical feasibility of the measures applied.
In summary, Aqua-Adapt offers a structured and flexible approach, enabling aquaculture stakeholders to make informed decisions, reduce risks, and sustainably strengthen the sector’s resilience in the face of climate change.
EU AAM shares best practices and fish welfare indicators
Intended primarily for aquaculture professionals, this document was developed in close collaboration with the European Union Reference Centre for the Welfare of Aquatic Animals (EURCAW-Aqua).
The code aims to establish general best practices, applicable to all species, to ensure fish welfare and define the indicators used to assess it within the European Union. It covers all life stages and production systems, focusing exclusively on animal welfare issues, excluding health aspects such as diseases or vaccination.
The code will be updated regularly and will gradually be expanded with new practices and references on fish welfare.
Find the key guidance and recommendations in this report.
Assessment of the energy transition of French fishing and aquaculture fleets
The energy transition of fishing and aquaculture fleets is now a major challenge for the future of our maritime activities. At the 2025 Maritime Economy Conference, the DGAMPA presented the very first assessment of the energy transition of fishing and aquaculture fleets, a reference document that summarizes several months of work and collaboration between its various departments.
This report provides a comprehensive and structured overview of the challenges facing the sector, the solutions already implemented, and the prospects for accelerating the decarbonization of a sector essential to French food sovereignty and the vitality of our coastal regions. It highlights the strong commitment of professionals, the scale of the necessary transformations, and the levers to be mobilized to build an ambitious roadmap, in line with the Strategic Contract for the French fishing industry signed in 2025.
Produced with the support of specialized partners such as MEET2050 and CT Engineering, this assessment is a key step in supporting the sector toward a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient model.
Predation in Shellfish Farming in France
Aquaculture, and particularly shellfish farming, plays a vital role in the French maritime economy. However, this sector faces a major challenge: predation, which weakens farms and impacts the profitability of operations. In a context where production shows contrasting trends, understanding the impact of this natural pressure is crucial to ensure the sector’s sustainability. In this fact sheet, you will discover the challenges related to predation and possible solutions to address them.
Aquaculture plays an essential role in the French maritime economy, with shellfish farming representing one of its most active sectors. Although indispensable for both food supply and the economic vitality of coastal areas, the industry faces several challenges that hinder its development. Among these, predation remains one of the most concerning: an ancient but increasingly pronounced phenomenon that affects a large number of farms and endangers their financial stability.
In a context where production shows contrasting trends, it is crucial to assess the effects of these natural pressures to ensure the sustainability of shellfish farming in France.
With a view to anticipating and supporting your innovation efforts, we have produced a summary of the main topics identified in upcoming European calls for projects.
This document is designed to help you get a head start in your thinking, identify relevant opportunities for your organization, and best prepare your future applications.
Our goal: to provide you with a clear view of emerging themes, to make it easier to position yourself, guide your project strategy, and optimize your chances of success when submitting your proposals.
If you need to discuss anything or would like support, you can contact our Europe project officer, who will be happy to guide you.
Innovative materials to improve the quality of farmed fish
In Finland, the LUKE Natural Resources Institute and the VTT Technical Research Centre have developed cellulose-based materials capable of capturing the compounds responsible for off-flavors in fish flesh and aquatic mold spores.
These two issues, common in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), undermine farm profitability: odorous compounds produced by microorganisms depreciate the fish flesh, while molds can cause up to 10% in annual losses in salmonid farms.
Find the key details of this innovation in this dedicated article.
