French caviar producers under the banner of Caviar d’Aquitaine Association have become the first sturgeon farmers to adopt BioMar’s Blue Impact feed.
France is among the world’s leading countries in caviar production. Overfishing of sturgeon, culling of other fish species for food, climate change and other factors have made caviar production increasingly unsustainable. French sturgeon farmers are working to change that, in part by transitioning to a lower-impact fish food.
In November, BioMar and Caviar d’Aquitaine Association announced that they would develop a new range of more sustainable feed, based on science, that aims to reduce the impact of aquaculture feed on the whole caviar value chain, through reducing reliance on scarce marine ingredients in aquafeeds; using circular and restorative raw materials; and ensuring raw materials originate from sustainable sources.
BioMar’s 2023 sustainability report said its Blue Impact feed–though not this particular recipe–is produced with circular products–such as fish and animal waste that would ordinarily be discarded–as well as soy, palm oil, insects, fish oil, fish meal and krill–all of which are certified responsibly sourced by their respective oversight agencies. The adoption of Blue Impact feed also includes monitoring to ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations and environmental standards.
“We are thrilled to see Aquitaine Caviar become the first sturgeon farmers to adopt Blue Impact feed,” said Rocio Alvaro, Sustainability Lead at BioMar “Their commitment to innovation and sustainability aligns perfectly with the goals of the Blue Impact initiative. Together, we are demonstrating that premium quality and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.”
Image credit: Caviar d’Aquitaine
