Improved quality of cultured fish for human consumption

Abstract

In Denmark and Brazil close 50% of the adult population suffers from medium or severe over-weight and welfare diseases are increasing, but Brazil also has 10 mio people suffering from malnutrition. A change in dietary habits to more protein-rich food might reduce these health issues. Fish are a valuable protein source, but provide also vital fatty acids and minerals. Fish in natural waters can no longer meet the demand for fish products, and farming now make up 50% of the global fish demand. However, fish production in freshwater faces several challenges: Intensive fish breeding enhances the risk of fish diseases (bacterial and parasitic infections); Several fish bacterial and parasitic infections have zoonotic potential and may affect human health; Microbes produce off-flavours that penetrate the fish and make them unattractive to consumers; Dense fish stocks and their feed may promote growth of fish-killing toxic microbes by eutrophication. In IMPCON we challenge these barriers to improve aquaculture production in hydroelectric reservoirs in São Paulo and in circulated aquaculture systems in Denmark. Superficially we will: Detect microorganisms and parasites with zoonotic potential in fish breeding systems; Improve fish health by enhancing their resistance to diseases (parasites and bacteria), using bioactive components from the bio-ethanol production in Brazil; Improve the water quality to minimize the risk of toxin production and parasite occurrence; Detect abundance of off-flavour producing microbes and develop procedures for their reduction. The results of IMPCON will contribute to production of healthy food by sustainable aquaculture production. (AU)