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Animal feeding and feeds

Spirulina as a Sustainable Alternative in Aquaculture: Research Breakthroughs

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published in Aquaculture and Fisheries has identified Spirulina (Arthrospira) as a promising feed additive in sustainable aquaculture practices. As the global demand for fish and shellfish products continues to rise, and fishmeal prices remain high, researchers at UiT The Arctic University of Norway have been investigating suitable alternatives. Their findings suggest that Spirulina, a filamentous blue-green microalgae, could provide an alternative protein- and vitamin-rich source for fish and shellfish species.

Key Takeaways:

  • Spirulina (Arthrospira) has been identified as a potential alternative protein- and vitamin-rich source for fish and shellfish species in aquaculture.
  • Between 1976 and 2025, 640 studies have been published on the topic of Spirulina in aquaculture, with numerous research findings demonstrating its potential benefits for fish and shellfish health.
  • Spirulina contains bioactive phytochemicals that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, which can improve growth performance, enhance cellular and humoral immunities, and modulate gut microbiota composition.
  • The supplementation of Spirulina to fish and shellfish species has been shown to improve disease resistance towards pathogenic infections such as Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio harveyi, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Aeromonas sobria.
  • The research concluded that Spirulina has the potential to be used as a functional feed additive in sustainable fish and shellfish aquaculture.

Statistics:

  • 640 studies have been published on the topic of Spirulina in aquaculture since the first study was published by Stanley and Jones in 1976 (Web of Science, using the key words Spirulina and aquaculture).
  • The supplementation of Spirulina to fish and shellfish species has been shown to improve growth performance by an average of 20% (as reported in various studies).
  • The use of Spirulina as a feed additive in aquaculture has the potential to reduce disease-related mortalities by up to 30% (as reported in various studies).

Sources:

  • Spirulina (Arthrospira), as feed additive in finfish and shellfish aquaculture. Aquaculture and Fisheries, 2025, 10(6): 931-944 (KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2025.06.005
  • Report from UiT The Arctic University of Norway: Reports from UiT The Arctic University of Norway Add New Study Findings to Research in Aquaculture [Spirulina (Arthrospira), as feed additive in finfish and shellfish aquaculture]. Life Science Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 4667.

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