Validating the commercial potential of genetically modified plant oils in aquaculture via full life-cycle replacement of marine feed ingredients
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: Plant Sciences
Abstract
Fish-farming (aquaculture) plays a key role in producing animal protein is produced for human consumption. Aquaculture plays a vital role in feeding the world, and as the number of mouths to feed increases, its role in providing nutritious food continues to grow. Fish farming is more efficient than any terrestrial animal production system, but the Achilles heel of aquaculture is the requirement for omega-3 fish oils in the feeds of marine and salmonid species - this is because fish lack the capacity to make these fatty acids, and if they are not provided in their diet, the resulting product is devoid of these health-beneficial fats. Pressure on the oceanic stocks which are used to produce these fish oils has resulted in increased demand for an alternative source of fish oils for use in aquaculture. Our project is to evaluate, using aquaculture industry parameters, the feasibility of using our GM camelina oil (and meal) as a replacement in the commercial production of farmed salmon.
Publications
Description | Our validation of using GM-derived fish oil replacement in open water (sea lough) trials has reignited the GM debate within Scotland, and also shone a light on the sustainability (or not) of the Scottish salmon industry. It also raised questions about the role of government in deciding what was, or was not, a suitable topic for scientific research. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | Novel Omega-3 Sources in Feeds and Impacts on Salmon Health |
Amount | £240,067 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/S006400/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 12/2022 |
Description | Collaboraton with BioMar |
Organisation | BioMar |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Codesign of new experimental aquafeed diets |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of facilities (pilot plant for diet formulation and production) |
Impact | Ongoing, also part of new UKRI-funded project (currently not started) |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Fish Farmer Article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Fish Farmer Magain - Volume 41 Number 01 January 2018. Article 'Man on a Mission' pg 30-33 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://issuu.com/fishfarmermagazine/docs/fish_farmer_january_2018 |
Description | Front-cover feature in BBSRC Business magazine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | This was a co-ordinated media campaign, working with BBSRC and the BBC to run the story about our GM camelina oil being used in a salmon feeding study in a sea loch. The story was run on multiple platforms, BBC TV, BBC radio and website |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44743003 |
Description | Global Omega-3 Forum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Attendance at GoEd Exchange 2018 - contribute to panel discussion on GM Omega-3 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited Talk ISFNF aquaculture congress |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Johnathan Napier gave an invited talk at the ISFNF aquaculture congress in Gran Canaria |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Keynote speaker at Future Foods symposium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Johnathan Napier was Keynote Speaker at Future Foods symposium, Koln (5-7 September 2018) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Omega-3s from transgenic plants and its role in aquaculture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | . |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Plant Lipids session at EuroFed Lipid Annual Congress, Belfast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Johnathan Napier Organized and chaired Plant Lipids session at EuroFed Lipid Annual Congress, Belfast (16-19 September 2018) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Plenary lecture at the GIFS "Emerging Technologies for Global Food Security" Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Johnathan Napier gave a plenary lecture at the GIFS "Emerging Technologies for Global Food Security" Conference in Saskatoon |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Royal Society Public Dialogue on Genetic Techologies |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public Dialogue re: genetic technologies -. a news briefing about the findings of the public dialogue will take place at the Royal Society on Wednesday 7 March 2018 @ 10:45am. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |