DEVELOPMENTS IN WORLD AQUACULTURE, FEED FORMULATIONS, AND ROLE OF CAROTENOIDS

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing global industry, comprising cultivation of various freshwater and marine species of finfish, shellfish, molluscs, and ornamental fish. By the year 2000, as much as 20% of the world production of fish will be based on aquaculture. Properly formulated feeds are a significant part of successful aquaculture. Carotenoids play a major role in culture of salmonids such as Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. Various biological and nutritional roles for carotenoids in salmonids are documented along with the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on astaxanthin transport and retention and final flesh pigmentation. Relevant recent feeding results are presented.