A NEW APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT – IMPACT OF FISH FEED ON AQUACULTURE FARM COSTS

Analysing feed efficiency and identifying the most cost-effective feeding strategies are critical aspects of the fish farming process, as they play a pivotal role in promoting the sustainable development of aquaculture. In fish farming, as in other livestock sectors, the quality of the product is closely linked to the feed, its quality and the impact of the feed on the profitability of the enterprise — the utilisation and cost of the feed. Animal feed is formulated using a diverse range of ingredients specifically designed to fulfil the nutritional requirements necessary for supporting an animal’s physiological functions, including immune system maintenance, growth and reproduction. The sustainability of fish feed is a critical concern in the aquaculture industry, given the emerging demand for fish products and the environmental pressures associated with traditional feed sources. The reliance on fishmeal and fish oil, derived from wild fish stocks, raises significant issues, including overfishing and habitat degradation. On average, consumption of fish feed grows by 3% each year. Therefore, the Development of alternative feed ingredients that are Both Economically viable and environmentally friendly is essential for the future of aquaculture. The purpose of this study is to assess the importance of fish feed in aquaculture on the basis of environmental, economic and social parameters and the perception of Latvian fish farmers regarding the importance of fish feed in aquaculture. A partially structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Both descriptive and indicative methods were used for statistical analysis of the collected data. Collected data was analysed using Linear Regression model. Linear Regression is used to study the linear relationship between a dependent variable in fish feed type and independent variable the farms used fish feed costs. The results showed that the type of extruded fish feed reduce the cost of feed for fish in aquaculture farms.