The study is called 'Krill Meal Boosts Growth and Survival in Atlantic Salmon Smolts After Seawater Transfer'.
A new study conducted by Skretting in collaboration with Aker QRILL Company has concluded that feeds containing QRILL Aqua can help Atlantic salmon perform better during the transition from freshwater to seawater.
This is the first research on the impact of krill meal based on a large-scale trial during the seawater transfer period, known as a bottleneck in salmon farming and one of the most challenging phases of this species' lifecycle.
According to Aker QRILL Company, a large portion of the losses occurs during the first months at sea, as the transfer period typically leads to appetite suppression, osmoregulatory stress, increased disease risk, and higher mortality rates.
"By combining Skretting's feed expertise with QRILL Aqua's proven nutritional benefits, we were able to test under real farming conditions. This is a strong example of how collaboration can advance solutions for the industry," assured Kjetil Berge, R&D Leader, Skretting.
In more detail, the study compared a commercial diet with fishmeal to one containing krill meal (QRILL Aqua), reducing the fishmeal by one-third. The results were conclusive, as the salmon fed the QRILL Aqua diet consumed 3% more feed, achieved 22% lower mortality, and experienced 4.8% higher growth.
"QRILL Aqua is a sustainable, functional marine ingredient that delivers high-quality protein, omega-3s, and essential nutrients, helping address these challenges so fish can stay healthy and perform well while supporting environmental goals," noted Berge.
