Government cash boost for Cooke feed plant improvements

Salmon farmer Cooke Scotland is being helped by the Scottish Government to use algal oil to improve sustainability and flexibility in the ingredient mixes for feed produced at its Northeast Nutrition Scotland plant in Invergordon.

Northeast Nutrition was recently granted £224,000 from thegovernment’s Marine Fund Scotland towards the £748,000 cost of two liquid storagetanks for fish oil, vegetable oil and algal oil. The project also entails implementing a new oil line at Invergordon.

A spokesperson for Cooke said: “Northeast Nutrition Scotlandhas trialled the use of algae oil as a mixed blend with our other existing oilsfor our fish feed. Alternatives to conventional fish oil for aquaculture, suchas algae oil, can reduce pressure on marine ecosystems while maintainingthe health and high quality of our fish.

“The addition of two liquid tanks and oil line will allow usto be more flexible with the ingredients we use in our fish feed and continueour commitment to responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices.”

Cooke Scotland already has a focus on sustainability, with marine ingredients for Northeast Nutrition sourced from MarineStewardship Council certified fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, and from producers that are regulated by the InternationalFishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation (IFFO). Algal oil adds another sustainable option.

Microalgae used to make algal oil are grown in largefermentation tanks, using by-products of agricultural crops such as sugar caneas a feed stock. Producers such as Veramaris and Corbion say advantages ofalgal oil include a high content of omega-3 long chain fatty acids EPA and DHAand a reliable and predictable supply and price. In contrast, fish oil fluctuates in price and supply,depending largely on the Peruvian anchovy harvests.

In May, Veramaris chief executive Gertjan de Koning said2023 had been a pivotal year for the company, which achieved a record increasein production volumes and solidified its market position.

De Koning said Veramaris algal oil “is now a mainstreamingredient used by major aquafeed producers, as well as in petfood and humansupplements”.