Fish meal is used extensively as a source of protein in aquaculture feed which represents the major cost constituent in aquaculture production. Commercial fish meals used to manufacture aquaculture feeds in Australia are currently imported from Denmark, Peru, Chile and other countries. These feeds are expensive (approx. $1,000/tonne) and, in the case of prawn head meals, are a possible source of disease introduction. Fish meals produced from locally sources fisheries wastes could offer an alternative supply, possibly at a lower cost than is presently available.

The overall aim of this project was to determine the range, seasonal variation and annual production of seafood waste products in Western Australia and to assess their suitability as aquacultural feed ingredients.

The specific aims of the study were to identify sources of fisheries waste materials, determine annual production and seasonal variability of the wastes in question and perform proximate analyses and fatty acid analyses on selected materials with the view of assessing their suitability for inclusion in aquaculture feeds.