Government cash boost for Cooke feed plant improvements
Marine Fund backs algal oil project that increases salmon farmer's sustainability
Salmon farmer Cooke Scotland is being helped by the Scottish Government to use algal oil to improve sustainability and flexibility in the ingredient mixes for feed produced at its Northeast Nutrition Scotland plant in Invergordon.
Northeast Nutrition was recently granted £224,000 from the government’s Marine Fund Scotland towards the £748,000 cost of two liquid storage tanks for fish oil, vegetable oil and algal oil. The project also entails implementing a new oil line at Invergordon.
A spokesperson for Cooke said: “Northeast Nutrition Scotland has trialled the use of algae oil as a mixed blend with our other existing oils for our fish feed. Alternatives to conventional fish oil for aquaculture, such as algae oil, can reduce pressure on marine ecosystems while maintaining the health and high quality of our fish.
“The addition of two liquid tanks and oil line will allow us to be more flexible with the ingredients we use in our fish feed and continue our commitment to responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices.”
Sustainable oils
Cooke Scotland already has a focus on sustainability, with marine ingredients for Northeast Nutrition sourced from Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic.
Microalgae used to make algal oil are grown in large fermentation tanks, using by-products of agricultural crops such as sugar cane as a feed stock. Producers such as Veramaris and Corbion say advantages of algal oil include a high content of omega-3 long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA and a reliable and predictable supply and price. In contrast, fish oil fluctuates in price and supply, depending largely on the Peruvian anchovy harvests.
In May, Veramaris chief executive Gertjan de Koning said 2023 had been a pivotal year for the company, which achieved a record increase in production volumes and solidified its market position.
De Koning said Veramaris algal oil “is now a mainstream ingredient used by major aquafeed producers, as well as in petfood and human supplements”.
