http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T4D-4FJ8C1X-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=9c38a11efc3b6d7de5e7ccdf2d2c9d8a

I have also added a link to the “Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology” which contains additional research information.

http://felles.siteman.no/genok.org/filarkiv/File/genok_info_eng_220107.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.library.uwa.edu.au/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T4D-4FJ8C1X-1&_user=554529&_coverDate=12%2F30%2F2005&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=554529&md5=a5a06444dfa39703cc8dab1b61636bbd

Though highly controversial, genetic manipulative strategies in aquaculture have been examined. Prospects including genetic modification of fish feed, increasing the fish feed conversion efficiency, i.e. transgenic fish, are a few proposed technological solutions to increasing the volume of quality fish.

In terms of fish feed, the prospect of introducing “ideal” properties into the host has been investigated. One example is altering or optimising the nutritional content within fish feed to produce intended effects upon consumption, such as to increase the protein concentration of fish.

Whether or not genetic engineering is a viable solution to the fish supply problem is yet to be determined. The economic advantages are seemingly apparent, however, controversy surrounds the technology, including significant scientific and ethical debates arguing against it. Whatever the general consensus I’m sure that this will be an ongoing debate that will continue throughout time.

Now i’m not trying to say babies are like fish, but the fundamentals of protein metabolism are essentially all the same for eukaryotes. I would liken that these artificial feeds that the fish receive are like a baby receiving formula. In both cases, because the protein source is of lower quality, meaning it has an inoptimal amino acid composition, so more low quality needs to be fed to meet the essential amino acids requirements. The problem with this is that over a certain level this additional protein doesn’t accumulate as protein but as fat.
The end result would be that the final product (the farmed fish in this case) is probably of lower quality than its unfarmed counterpart. Clearly, optimised nutrition in aquaculture is not only necessary to maximise the yield but also they quality of that final product and is in aspect that needs to be addressed for future markets.