The first phase of the Aquaculture Nutrition Subprogram (ANS) has demonstrated a strong need for technical inputs into the strategic direction and methodology applied to the nutrition components of both species and non-species based research programs. Without a coordinated subprogram approach to this research portfolio, the FRDC would have been unable to develop a collaborative program with the Grains Research and Development Corporation to characterise and produce vegetable protein alternatives to fish meal, nor would it have been able to standardize the methodologies and research approach for aquaculture nutrition in Australia with involvement from all relevant scientists. The subprogram is also addressing “market failure” in the areas of training and communication in the field of aquaculture nutrition, with a firm emphasis on empowering end-users of aquafeeds with basic nutritional and feed processing knowledge. The ANS needs to be maintained in a similar format to the first phase in order to capitalize on many of the initiatives that were implemented during the first 3 years of the project, but with less emphasis on the facilitation and maintenance on a core of research projects.

The need for on-going research into aquaculture nutrition and the need to maintain or enhance the technical standard and direction of this research is emphasized by the fact that Australian aquaculture industries still have a heavy reliance on imported nutrition technologies, feeds and ingredients for the supply of nutrients to target species. This includes feed manufacturing technologies, ingredients such as bait fish, fish meals, crustacean meals and fish oils, and complete feeds such as those utilised by the prawn industry. Not only does this create issues in relation to imported disease risks, continuity of supply and cost, but it means that many local products are being under utilised. Given the broad range of issues associated with the provision of aquaculture diets, the real cost of aquaculture diets in Australia will only be reduced through the delivery of well-targetted, strategic research. The infancy of the Australian aquaculture industries also means that a coordinated research approach is required to maximise the outcomes from research investment in the area.

The need for on-going research into aquaculture nutrition and the need for continued inputs to how this research is conducted to ensure it is completed to the highest possible standard is emphasized by the fact that Australian aquaculture industries have a heavy reliance on imported nutrition technologies, feeds and ingredients for the supply of nutrients to target species. This includes feed manufacturing technologies, ingredients such as bait fish, fish meals, crustacean meals and fish oils, and complete feeds such as those utilised by the prawn industry. Not only does this create issues in relation to imported disease risks, continuity of supply and cost, but it means that many local products are being under utilised.

There is currently renewed interest in establishing a dedicated aquaculture nutrition research program due to the increase in cost of fishmeals and oils, their increasingly limited availability and potential contamination with antibiotic residues such as chloramphenicols if the meals are derived from some aquaculture reared products. In addition, pressure from consumers to limit the use of animal proteins in diets and limit interspecies recycling has applied new pressure to feed manufacturers and increased the need to identify and utilise alternative vegetable protein sources in aquafeeds. The increased value of the Australian dollar has also increased competition from imports and the need for the Australian sector to become increasingly efficient to remain internationally competitive with nutrition playing a key role in their capacity to achieve this.