Protein Synthesis in Organic Sea Bream: Response to Organic Feeds and Partial Fishmeal Replacement

Organic aquaculture has the potential to address a range of societal concerns about aquaculture. These concerns include (implicitly or explicitly): a) environmental issues relating to the sustainability of the entire production chain, from the sourcing of feed, through environmental pollution to the carbon costs of processing and transport; b) health concerns related to additional benefits of the product, to the use of additives perceived as being harmful (vitamins, minerals, etc.), to the reduction or elimination of nutrients with a health risk (e.g. salt, fat); c) food safety aspects concerning additives, contaminants and genetically modified organisms (GMOs); d) social motivations related to labour conditions, community involvement and fair trade; e) animal welfare issues related to the conditions in which fish are raised. Consumers may favour products which address some or all of these concerns, especially if this is evidenced through “organic” certification, but ultimately the price and quality of the product are also crucial. However, research is also needed to demonstrate the benefits of organic aquaculture compared to conventional aquaculture. The present study aimed to enhance knowledge regarding organic sea bream aquaculture production by examining the effects on protein metabolism of two key issues: comparison between an organic and a non-organic feed; the effect of partial fishmeal replacement.