KRILL MEAL REDUCES SCARRING AND SUPPORTS WOUND HEALING FOR ATLANTIC SALMON

Krill meal reduces scarring and supports wound healing for Atlantic salmon. A new study has found that including QRILL Aqua in low fishmeal diets helps Atlantic salmon maintain growth, nutrient utilisation, and fillet quality, while reducing the need for plant proteins and synthetic additives. Conducted by researchers from the Atlantic Veterinary College (UPEI), Dalhousie University, and Aker QRILL Company, the trial also found that higher krill meal inclusion improved the visual appearance of wounds after healing, a potential benefit for harvest quality and market value.

A sustainability-focused feeding strategy

As today’s salmon feeds are mainly plant-based with small inclusion of marine ingredients to address resource sustainability, farmers face challenges such as reduced palatability, nutrient
imbalances, and increased reliance on synthetic supplements.

Kiranpreet Kaur, Director R&D, Aker QRILL Company states:

“Our findings show that higher inclusion of QRILL Aqua in low-fishmeal diets preserves fish growth and nutrient use — but importantly also leads to reduced scarring and improved
gross appurtenance of wounds, which helps to improve fillet quality and reduces economic losses for producers.

“This research shows that QRILL Aqua can maintain high fish performance in plant-based diets, low fish meal. It’s a functional ingredient that delivers both nutritional and environmental benefits.”

Key results

The 25-week trial compared three diets containing 0%, 8%, and 12% krill meal (QRILL Aqua) with low fishmeal inclusion (10%). Salmon fed the krill meal diets:

• Required 33% less plant protein, lipid supplements, micronutrient additives, and synthetic astaxanthin in comparison to control
• Showed significantly higher fillet pigmentation with 12% inclusion
• Displayed healed wounds with more uniform skin colour at 12% inclusion, potentially reducing fillet downgrading

“The improved external appearance in the krill meal high-inclusion group indicates potential for supporting product quality and reducing economic losses, as uniform skin and fillet appearance
is important for both market value and consumer perception,” says Kaur. “Our findings suggest QRILL Aqua may help fish with improved wound healing, which is an important welfare and
quality consideration for the industry.”

The study, Effects of dietary inclusion of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) meal in low fishmeal diets on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) growth, nutrient utilization, fillet quality, and wound healing capacity, is published in Aquaculture Report.