Utilization of feed resources in the production of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Norway: An update for 2016

The utilization of feed resources in Norwegian salmon farming in 2010 and 2012 has been reported previously. The present study is an update for 2016, along with data on whole body composition of slaughter sized salmon. In 2016, in total 1,252,573 tonnes of salmon were produced. Fillet production was estimated to 814,172 tonnes. Given 'as is', 1,627,478 tonnes of feed ingredients were used (1,520,358 tonnes on dry matter basis). Marine ingredients constituted 405,921 tonnes (25%), 1,156,135 tonnes (71%) were of plant origin and 65,422 tonnes (4%) were other ingredients. The estimated retention of energy, protein, lipid, DHA + EPA and phosphorus was 41.3%, 36.6%, 49.4%, 37.3% and 18.5%, respectively, in whole salmon. In fillet, the corresponding retention values were 23.0%, 26.1%, 24.6%, 21.8% and 9.5%, respectively. Whole body of slaughter sized salmon (mean body weight 5276 g) contained 12.71 MJ/kg energy, 16.9% crude protein, 21.5% total lipids (0.44% EPA, 0.72% DHA) and 1.8% ash (0.31% phosphorus). The salmon production and use of feed ingredients in 2016 were of similar volumes as in 2012, but the use of marine protein sources was further reduced and replaced by plant ingredients.