Fishmeal and Fish Oil

Fishmeal

Fishmeal is a concentrated source of high-quality marine protein and essential nutrients used in feeds for both aquaculture and terrestrial livestock. It is produced by cooking, pressing, drying, and grinding whole fish or the trimmings left over from fish processing, creating a stable and consistent ingredient.

Typical fishmeal contains 60–72% protein, 5–12% fish oil, and 10–20% ash, along with important minerals and trace nutrients. The oil naturally present in fishmeal includes the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which support growth, immunity, and healthy tissue development in many farmed animals.

Fishmeal is valued not only for its high protein level, but also for its excellent digestibility and balanced amino-acid profile, which make it easy for animals to use efficiently. It also contains bioactive compounds that can help support feed intake, growth, and general robustness. Because of these qualities, fishmeal is widely used in diets for fish and shrimp, as well as for young or rapidly growing animals such as poultry, piglets, and calves, where nutrient-dense and highly digestible ingredients are especially important.

Fish oil

Fish oil is a pure marine oil produced from whole fish or from trimmings left over after fish are processed. What makes fish oil unique is its naturally high content of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These nutrients are important for many biological functions, including growth, immunity, and healthy cell development.

Most fish oil is used in aquaculture feeds, where it helps farmed fish achieve the fatty-acid profile and energy levels they need for normal growth and health. Some fish oil is further refined for human consumption, where it is used in nutritional supplements and enriched foods.

The benefits of EPA and DHA are well documented through years of research, showing positive effects on heart health, brain development, and the regulation of inflammation. Because of these properties, fish oil remains a valuable ingredient in both animal feed and human nutrition.

Production process

The production of fishmeal and fish oil follows a controlled and systematic process. In simple terms, the raw material is cooked, separated, dried, and ground. Whole fish or trimmings are first heated to release water and oil, then pressed to separate the liquid from the solid material. The solid fraction is dried and milled into fishmeal, while the liquid is further refined to separate fish oil from stickwater.

From 100 kilograms of raw material, the process typically yields around 20 kilograms of fishmeal and about 5 kilograms of fish oil, depending on the species and fat content. Throughout production, strict quality-control procedures are applied to ensure that the final products retain their natural nutritional value and are free from contamination.

Key Quality Considerations

Raw material freshness
The quality of fishmeal and fish oil depends heavily on the freshness of the raw material. Minimising the time between catching and processing, and keeping the fish chilled, helps preserve protein integrity and reduces spoilage.

Processing temperature
Careful temperature control is essential. Gentle cooking and drying—typically at or below 90°C—help maintain digestibility and prevent nutrient damage, while still eliminating harmful bacteria.

Fat stability
Because fish oils contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, they can be sensitive to oxidation. Antioxidants are often added to protect these valuable fatty acids, particularly when products are stored in warm climates.

Hygiene
High hygiene standards are maintained throughout the handling and processing stages, supported by routine factory cleaning protocols to minimise contamination risk.

Quality Assurance

Quality-assurance schemes ensure that fishmeal and fish oil remain traceable, safe, and pure throughout the supply chain.

Traceability
Products must be traceable from the feed manufacturer back to the original producer, including all transport and storage steps.

Safety
Fishmeal and fish oil must comply with all regulatory limits for contaminants, be free of pathogenic organisms and natural toxins, and meet strict standards for purity.

Purity
To avoid cross-contamination, these products must be manufactured in facilities that handle only marine raw materials—such as fish, crustaceans, or molluscs—and not materials from terrestrial animals. Sensitive analytical tests are used to verify that purity is maintained throughout processing.