10052331Farmed marine proteins for poultry feedClosedCollaborative R&DISCFMarine ingredients, in the form of fishmeal, are one of the best sources of nutrients for young farm animals, both terrestrial (especially young broilers and peri-weaning piglets) and aquatic.However, harvesting (fishing) of marine ingredients has a significant impact on the environment, sustainability is stretched to its limits, GHG emissions are significant due to long distance transport and the long-term resilience of the sector is dependent on a fragile environmental balance under climate change threat. Additionally, the animal feed sector is growing rapidly between 2 and 6% a year, for example broiler meat production has increased 500% in the last 40 years, while marine ingredients harvests have been stagnating for the last 40 years. This has led to the current marine protein ingredient crisis.To address the core marine protein availability problem with a long-term solution, as opposed to producing alternative ingredients, Aquanzo is developing technologies to produce, sustainably, at scale and on land, artemia, a marine zooplankton and process it into marine protein ingredients for the animal feed industry. By farming artemia, this novel animal feed production system will offer a long-term solution to the marine protein ingredient crisis. It will benefit the consumers by offering a product with no ocean-harvested ingredients but without losing the proven benefits of marine ingredients inclusion for the animal's health and farming productivity. Additionally, the ability to exploit agricultural byproducts as a feedstock to grow artemia will enhance the UK circular economy. It will benefit the compound feed manufacturers by access to tailored marine proteins, sustainably produced and of constant quality with reduced emission (precision farming system), all of which are not possible from harvesting marine protein. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of Artemeal as an alternative protein source is included and will provide a robust quantification of the proposed solution sustainability.To ensure the project aligns to the industry technical, environmental and commercial needs, dissemination and knowledge exchange is a strong component of this project, including through engagement with our expert advisory panel and wider stakeholders. Demonstrating the feasibility of using artemia meal in starter broiler feed (replacing fishmeal) will pioneer a new sector in the animal feed industry. Farmed marine proteins, alongside other novel ingredients such as insects and single cell proteins will develop a portfolio approach to support the development of a strong and resilient animals industry in England, the UK and further afield.