[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 220 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 64198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22358]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD84


Notice of Solicitation of Public Comment on the Development of 
Alternative Aquaculture Feeds

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of public comment on alternative 
aquaculture feeds.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service is soliciting public 
comment for ideas and recommendations on alternative dietary 
ingredients (feedstuffs) for aquaculture. This information is being 
gathered as part of the NOAA-U.S. Department of Agriculture alternative 
feeds initiative to help guide future research and development. Public 
comment is being collected in advance of a 2008 workshop on alternative 
feeds. Information submitted in response to this notice will be shared 
with workshop attendees.

DATES: Comments should be submitted by February 29, 2008, to ensure 
consideration. Comments submitted after that date will be considered to 
the extent possible.

ADDRESSES: Information about the NOAA Aquaculture Program and the NOAA-
USDA Alternative Feeds Initiative is available on the NOAA Aquaculture 
Program website: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov.
    Electronic comments should be submitted to 
[email protected]. Written comments should be faxed to the NOAA 
Aquaculture Program clearly marked ``Attn: Alternative Feeds 
Initiative'' at (301) 713-9108; or mailed to the NOAA Aquaculture 
Program, Attn: Alternative Feeds Initiative, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Rm. 13117, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Naughten, NOAA Aquaculture 
Program, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC 3 Mail Code F/AQ, Room 
13117, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (301) 713-9079; or e-mail at: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The issue of feed ingredients is among the top challenges facing 
the global aquaculture industry. The protein-rich feed pellets used in 
aquaculture are made in part from small, bony fish species including 
herring, menhaden, anchovy, and sardines. These species, harvested 
worldwide for use in fish meal and fish oil, are under increasing 
commercial fishing pressure.
    Fish meal and fish oil are principal feeds ingredients for cultured 
fish species including carp, shrimp, salmon, tilapia, trout, and 
catfish, as well as poultry and pigs. In 2002, 81 percent of the fish 
oil and 46 percent of the fish meal produced worldwide was used for 
aquaculture.
    As ingredients in aquaculture feedstuffs, fish meal and fish oil 
supply the essential amino acids and fatty acids required for normal 
growth. In the U.S. and elsewhere, studies are underway to better 
understand the nutritional requirements of fish and shrimp and to 
evaluate the use of alternative dietary ingredients in aquaculture 
feed, including soybeans, barley, rice, peas, and other crops along 
with canola, lupine, wheat gluten, corn gluten, various plant proteins, 
algae, and seafood processing by-products.
    Specifically, NMFS is seeking responses in following areas: (1) 
Groundbreaking research on alternative dietary ingredients (feedstuffs) 
for aquaculture, including plant based proteins, is expanding the 
United States and worldwide. Where should the federal government focus 
its research efforts in the area of alternative feeds for aquaculture? 
Are there specific areas that the federal government should not 
address? (2) What are potential alternative sources of protein and oil 
for aquaculture feeds? For example, are there specific opportunities 
for greater use of seafood processing waste and other agricultural by-
products in aquaculture feeds? Are there specific obstacles to using 
these alternatives as alternative dietary ingredients in aquaculture 
feed? (3) What type of treatments or processes show promise for 
improvement of existing aquaculture feedstuffs and for developing new 
feedstuffs? How soon could these technologies be commercialized? (4) 
Fish meal and fish oil contribute important human nutritional 
components to aquaculture feeds such as omega 3 fatty acids. As the 
aquaculture feeds industry seeks to replace fish meal and fish oil with 
alternatives, how can the nutritional benefits of farmed seafood be 
maintained or enhanced? For example, what technologies exist for 
producing omega 3 fatty acids?

    Dated: November 9, 2007.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22358 Filed 11-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S