Temperatures do not stop rising in the oceans and, in particular, in the Mediterranean Sea. In recent years, temperatures have even reached figures that exceed 30ºC regularly in the summer and autumn months. This fact has a strong impact on the oceans, and in particular on marine species. For that reason, Skretting has been investigating solutions to help alleviate this situation.
In aquaculture, it is no secret that bad weather affects the mortality of species. Thus, although they do not have high rates like other diseases, they are usually quite long episodes, which cause economic losses to fish farmers due to a deterioration of the productive yield, loss of growth, a higher conversion rate, and lower quality in the final product. This reality leads to a multitude of side effects that have a direct impact on species and farms.
"Reduced oxygen levels resulting from water temperatures above 24-25ºC have proven to be very limiting for sea bass and sea bass growth, and above 26-27ºC can affect sea bream yield in farming systems," explained Marta Buesa, health product manager for Skretting Spain.
Therefore, high temperatures limited growth, but how?. The intestinal walls reduce their thickness and become more permeable. Thus, as a consequence, their structure becomes less complex, and their surface area is reduced, potentially causing the loss of essential nutrients and the migration of inflammatory cells into the intestine.
Therefore, to alleviate the inevitable, a good diet in the species can make a clear difference. So keeping this in mind, Skretting has been doing research work to discover the HTO2. This is a specifically diet created for this purpose in the main Mediterranean species, which are: sea bass, sea bream, and croaker.
Skretting has provided conclusive evidence through a series of experimental and field trials that HTO2 counteracts this situation. The HTO2 diet is Skretting's nutritional solution based on three main pillars: increasing oxygen availability, restoring gut structure, and increasing antioxidant status. This is intended to improve the health status of the fish in the face of adverse environmental conditions.
When oxygen levels are low, the number of red blood cells in the blood increases, so the fish can optimize the effectiveness of the oxygen available in the water. This ensures greater oxygen availability for growth," explains Marta Buesa, health product manager at Skretting Spain.
In addition, HTO2 also contains specifically selected functional ingredients. These work synergistically to improve the ability of Mediterranean species to cope with high temperatures and low oxygen levels.
Skretting is a Norwegian company leading in providing sustainable nutritional solutions to the aquaculture industry. It has production facilities located on five continents and offers high-quality feed for different species. Moreover, the company produces high-quality feeds for over 60 species with an annual production volume over 2 million tonnes.
