Benefits of fishmeal and fish oil

Oily fish are the major source of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are recognized world-wide as a key factor in human health.

The major species used for production of fishmeal and fish oil are short-lived species with no or little commercial value as human consumption as well as recycled trimmings from fish processing for human consumption.

Fishmeal of high quality provides a balanced amount of all essential amino acids, minerals, phospholipids and fatty acids (e.g. Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA) for optimum development, growth, survival and reproduction. Furthermore, studies show that fish prefer fishmeal and fish oil compared to plant-based diets.

Fishmeal and fish oil improve animal health and welfare ensuring high quality livestock especially in young and breeding animals. Fishmeal is a natural ingredient of high nutritional value, and its use in livestock feeds can offer cost-effective production, optimising health or meat quality in the final product.

Fishmeal and fish oil bring the EPA and DHA contained in these small, short-lived, oily fish into the human food chain via fish oil supplements, as well as via farmed fish and even livestock. This is equivalent to almost half of all the EPA and DHA provided by human consumption of wild edible fish.