Optimizing tilapia production
Coming in at number 7 in our rankings was our coverage of a study about tilapia processing waste and how that could provide an alternative and less expensive protein source than fishmeal in shrimp feeds while supporting shrimp production.
A team of researchers from Brazil explored the use of tilapia processing waste silage (TPWS) in the diets of farmed shrimp raised in clear water (CWS) or biofloc systems (BS).
The researchers found that survival was above 80% for shrimp on all diets and in both production systems. However, the inclusion of TPWS in the diets did not alter shrimp performance.
The final weight and growth rate of the shrimp were altered by the production system used, but not by the diet, they said. Shrimp in the biofloc system outperformed those in the CWS.
There is great interest in exploring the production of Pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) in biofloc systems, the researchers said. Disease outbreaks and low productivity prompted inquires into alternative production systems to boost shrimp growth and production efficiency, they noted.
