Examination of the Organohalogen Contaminant Concentrations and Nutritional Values in Farmed Salmon Fed with Different Formulated Diets

Description

This project addresses the urgent need from a public perception standpoint to reduce substantially the concentrations of organohalogen contaminants in the flesh of farmed salmon. The overall goal of this study is to dramatically reduce flesh concentrations of all the major ubiquitous global contaminants (PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, PBDEs, and 20 OC pesticides) in the flesh of farmed Atlantic and Chinook salmon by using cost effective formulated diets that are enhanced on plant lipids and/or animal lipid (i.e., poultry fat) sources. These diets that contain lower levels of fish oil in comparison to conventional diets used in the past are expected to reduce majorly the level of contaminants in the flesh of farmed Atlantic and Chinook salmon. The contaminant levels are expected to be lower than those measured in wild salmon populations without compromising all other flesh quality attributes. Adequate concentrations of fish oil will be present in the diets to ensure that the essential fatty acid needs of the salmon are met for optimal growth and health (salmon require ~ 10% of the dietary lipid content as n-3 HUFAs).

Program Name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Year(s)

2005 - 2007

Ecoregion(s)

Pacific: Vancouver Island West Coast

Principal Investigator(s)

Michael Ikonomou
Email: IkonomouMD@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca