[Federal Register: November 15, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 220)]
[Notices]
[Page 64198]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15no07-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD84
Notice of Solicitation of Public Comment on the Development of
Alternative Aquaculture Feeds
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of public comment on alternative
aquaculture feeds.
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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting public
comment for ideas and recommendations on alternative dietary
ingredients (feedstuffs) for aquaculture. This information is being
gathered as part of the NOAA-U.S. Department of Agriculture alternative
feeds initiative to help guide future research and development. Public
comment is being collected in advance of a 2008 workshop on alternative
feeds. Information submitted in response to this notice will be shared
with workshop attendees.
DATES: Comments should be submitted by February 29, 2008, to ensure
consideration. Comments submitted after that date will be considered to
the extent possible.
ADDRESSES: Information about the NOAA Aquaculture Program and the NOAA-
USDA Alternative Feeds Initiative is available on the NOAA Aquaculture
Program website: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov.
Electronic comments should be submitted to
NOAA.Aquaculture@noaa.gov. Written comments should be faxed to the NOAA
Aquaculture Program clearly marked ``Attn: Alternative Feeds
Initiative'' at (301) 713-9108; or mailed to the NOAA Aquaculture
Program, Attn: Alternative Feeds Initiative, 1315 East-West Highway,
Rm. 13117, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Naughten, NOAA Aquaculture
Program, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC 3 Mail Code F/AQ, Room
13117, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (301) 713-9079; or e-mail at:
kate.naughten@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The issue of feed ingredients is among the top challenges facing
the global aquaculture industry. The protein-rich feed pellets used in
aquaculture are made in part from small, bony fish species including
herring, menhaden, anchovy, and sardines. These species, harvested
worldwide for use in fish meal and fish oil, are under increasing
commercial fishing pressure.
Fish meal and fish oil are principal feeds ingredients for cultured
fish species including carp, shrimp, salmon, tilapia, trout, and
catfish, as well as poultry and pigs. In 2002, 81 percent of the fish
oil and 46 percent of the fish meal produced worldwide was used for
aquaculture.
As ingredients in aquaculture feedstuffs, fish meal and fish oil
supply the essential amino acids and fatty acids required for normal
growth. In the U.S. and elsewhere, studies are underway to better
understand the nutritional requirements of fish and shrimp and to
evaluate the use of alternative dietary ingredients in aquaculture
feed, including soybeans, barley, rice, peas, and other crops along
with canola, lupine, wheat gluten, corn gluten, various plant proteins,
algae, and seafood processing by-products.
Specifically, NMFS is seeking responses in following areas: (1)
Groundbreaking research on alternative dietary ingredients (feedstuffs)
for aquaculture, including plant based proteins, is expanding the
United States and worldwide. Where should the federal government focus
its research efforts in the area of alternative feeds for aquaculture?
Are there specific areas that the federal government should not
address? (2) What are potential alternative sources of protein and oil
for aquaculture feeds? For example, are there specific opportunities
for greater use of seafood processing waste and other agricultural by-
products in aquaculture feeds? Are there specific obstacles to using
these alternatives as alternative dietary ingredients in aquaculture
feed? (3) What type of treatments or processes show promise for
improvement of existing aquaculture feedstuffs and for developing new
feedstuffs? How soon could these technologies be commercialized? (4)
Fish meal and fish oil contribute important human nutritional
components to aquaculture feeds such as omega 3 fatty acids. As the
aquaculture feeds industry seeks to replace fish meal and fish oil with
alternatives, how can the nutritional benefits of farmed seafood be
maintained or enhanced? For example, what technologies exist for
producing omega 3 fatty acids?
Dated: November 9, 2007.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22358 Filed 11-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S