Life below water

The marine environment contains a stunning variety of creatures ranging from single-celled organisms to the blue whale. The oceans are also home to coral reefs, one of the most diverse eco-systems on the planet. Humans (over)use the oceans in many different ways. Demand for protein-rich and healthy fish products is rising, while natural stocks are declining. Increasing demand for fish can be satisfied with aquacultures, but many of these aquacultures are not sustainable if fish meal and fish oil are used, which, in turn, come from fishing. The consequence of this is an additional reduction in the fish living freely in the oceans.
Maintaining healthy oceans supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. 

At present, the aquatic animals of our daily consumption are mostly grown by ingesting feed. If they are kept in captivity, their feed must have a similar composition, especially in terms of amino acids (methionine) and omega-3 fatty acids. So far, the ideal composition can be achieved only thanks to admixture of fish meal and oil. The most important raw material in fish farming is fish meal, because it contains high-quality protein for the growth of aquatic animals. Omega-3 fatty acids are contained in fish oil. Due to the depletion of natural resources, supply is becoming increasingly problematic worldwide.

Amino acids and amino acid derivatives developed specifically for fish farming make it possible to eliminate the use of fish meal or oil to a large extent. Complete elimination of fish oil is possible with biotechnologically produced omega-3 fatty acids.

With DLMA™ (DL-methionine for aquaculture), Evonik offers a methionine product that has been specially developed for fish farming.

Together with our partner DSM, we founded the joint venture Veramaris to produce biotechnologically produced omega-3 fatty acids.

Production is carried out with the aid of marine algae. One kilogram of oil produced in this way replaces up to 60 kilograms of wild catch.