After years of extensive research, Nofima, a Norwegian research institute, has proven that genetically modified rapeseed oil is suitable for fish feed. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has approved a genetically modified rapeseed oil containing Marine Omega-3 fatty acids suitable for salmon feed.

Norway approved the use of the oil in domestic fish feed at a time when Marine demand for Omega-3 fatty acids exceeds available supply. According to Nofima researchers, improved canola oil is likely to become an important new source of Omega-3 in aquatic feed.

Bente Ruyter, a senior scientist at Nofima, has been working on boosting Omega-3 levels in farmed salmon. The milestone is the result of years of collaborative research with industry, Ruyter said, referring to the approval of genetically modified canola oil for use in fish feed.

Marine Omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential for the health and quality of farmed salmon. However, the challenge of sourcing enough of these key fatty acids for aquaculture has led to innovative solutions.

Nofima's collaboration with Australian research organisations CSIRO and Nuseed has enabled canola oil to meet the nutritional needs of salmon and humans. importantly, the extracted canola oil does not contain any genetically modified material from the plant itself.

The approval by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority marks a significant step forward for the industry. According to Nofima, fish oil used to make up 30% of salmon's feed in 2000, but by 2020 it had fallen to just 10%.

Ruyter stressed that it is important to maintain adequate Omega-3 levels in salmon feed, low levels of Omega-3 can affect the health and appearance of the fish, resulting in less robust salmon and poor color, prompting the industry to raise Omega-3 levels in fish feed again.

To verify the effectiveness of the GM canola oil, Nofima conducted tests on salmon at various stages of growth, from fresh water to closed tanks and then to Marine net cages. Although the adoption of the product in the industry is unknown, Ruyter is optimistic.

The research was funded by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund and carried out in collaboration with the Oceanographic Institute, Nuseed and Mowi.