Regional IAFFD Workshop in Muscat Showcases Advances in Aquaculture Nutrition and Feed Formulation
May 9th, 2025
Muscat, Oman — A regional aquafeed workshop hosted by U.S. Soy Export Council (USSEC) recently brought together 30 professionals from the aquaculture feed industry across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. Held in Muscat, Oman, the event provided a unique platform for high-level discussions, technical presentations, and practical training focused on the optimization of aquafeed production.
Participants of the IAFFD Workshop and the 9th Regional Aquaculture Production Investment Conference, held jointly in Muscat, Oman, from May 2–5, 2025.
Participants included nutritionists, feed manufacturers, and technical managers who engaged with leading aquaculture experts on a wide range of subjects essential to improving feed quality and production efficiency.
The technical program featured expert-led presentations on:
- Overview of Current Challenges in Aquaculture Nutrition
- Protein and Amino Acid Nutrition: What is Important, What is New?
- Factors Affecting Acoustic Signals in Shrimp Feeds
- Improving the Characterization of the Nutritive Value of Feed Ingredients in the QC Lab
- Novel Protein Sources: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
- Optimizing Tilapia Production: The Economics of Feed Quality and Producer-Manufacturer Collaboration
- Implications of Water Quality and Production System Type and Intensity on Formulation of Aquafeeds
Dr. Dominique Bureau giving a presentation on novel protein ingredients
Dr. Allen Davis giving a presentation on the importance of shrimp feed signaling
Dr. John A. Hargreaves giving a presentation about the Implications of Water Quality and Production System Type and Intensity on Formulation of Aquafeeds
Dr. Morgan Cheatam giving a presentation about the value of feed quality and aquaculture production
One of the workshop’s highlights was a hands-on formulation session using the Wittaya Aqua’s AquaOp Feed Formulation Software, where participants tackled real-world formulation scenarios. This practical component allowed for in-depth exploration of nutrient balancing, ingredient evaluation, and feed optimization.
Dr. Flavia Damasceno leading the hands-on feed formulation session
Key Discussion Topics
In parallel with these structured sessions, several hot-topic issues surfaced during open discussions, reflecting the industry’s current priorities. Key among them were:
- The integration of precision nutrition and precision farming as a model for optimized farm performance
- The importance of monitoring feed quality from the feedmill to the pond
- Adjusting protein levels under stress conditions, particularly in response to disease and environmental variability
- Understanding the impact of feed quality on shrimp signaling and feeding behavior
- The significance and challenges of digestibility measurements in aquaculture nutrition
- Tackling feed wastage as a pathway toward greater sustainability
The event concluded with strong participant engagement and calls for continued regional cooperation. The workshop reinforced the need for data-driven decisions and closer feed-farm integration by combining advanced technical content with practical tools.
USSEC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aquafeed industry through initiatives that promote innovation, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of aquaculture.
Written By Wittaya Aqua
