Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Fish farming (aquaculture) is one of the fastest growing food production sectors in the world. Originally developed as a means to enhance natural stocks, aquaculture now provides direct and indirect economic benefits to many local and regional economies. One of the largest growing segments in the aquaculture industry is that of feed production. As demand grows for high quality, locally farmed fish, the industry is looking to the feed producers to improve feed conversion ratios (FCR). Oreka Solutions (""Oreka"") is an Ontario-based company that uses insect components in animal feeds. Oreka is looking at ways to yield better FCR values in addition to improving the health of the fish consuming their products (decreasing mortality rates, increasing resistance to pathogens, and optimizing production cycle times). The proposed research project will evaluate the extent to which food formulations can produce improvements in FCR and early life stage survivorship for rainbow trout living in typical hatchery conditions. The results of the project will improve the sales of Oreka Solutions fish feed products, as well as improve their market position.*