Economic Efficiency of Aquaculture Production in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Using Feeds Based on Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Introduction. The high cost of feed, dominated by fish meal and fish oil, remains a key limitation on the profitability of industrial aquaculture in closed-loop water supply (CLWS) installations. A promising approach to reducing feed costs and increasing the environmental sustainability of the industry is the partial replacement of fish meal with insect protein derived from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens). The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of partial replacement of fish meal with black soldier fly larva meal on the biological performance of sturgeon hybrids and to determine the economic efficiency of this replacement under CLWS conditions.

Materials and Methods. A laboratory experiment lasting 90 days was performed on juvenile sturgeon hybrids in four groups at fish meal replacement levels of 0 (control), 25, 50 and 75%. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate, and economic efficiency indicators were evaluated.

Research Results. The highest productivity was achieved with 50% replacement: final weight increased by 9.8%, the feed conversion ratio decreased from 1.35 to 1.21, and the survival rate was 95%. Feed costs per 1 kg of growth decreased by 13.6%. When extrapolated to a production module with a capacity of 10 t/year, profitability increases from 45.9% to 56.1%. Discussion. The data obtained confirm the feasibility of replacing up to 50% of fish meal with H. illucens meal in sturgeon feed formulations without compromising growth and with a tangible economic benefit.

Discussion and Conclusion. The data obtained confirm the existence of an optimal level of fish meal replacement with black soldier fly protein: the positive effect observed at replacement levels of up to 50% is attributable to a favorable amino acid profile, the antimicrobial effect of lauric acid and the immunomodulatory properties of chitin, while at 75% replacement the indicators fall below the control values. The economic effect arises through two mechanisms – through improved feed conversion and reduced feed formulation costs, which makes the technology less sensitive to fluctuations in fish meal prices. Integration black soldier fly larva production using organic waste into a closed resource cycle with CLWS is consistent with the principles of the circular bioeconomy and supports the substitution of imported feed components in the agro-industrial complex. Thus, replacing 50% of fish meal with black soldier fly larva meal in sturgeon hybrids feed under CLWS conditions increases the profitability of the production module with a capacity of 10 tons/year from 45.9 to 56.1% and can be recommended as a resource-saving solution for industrial aquaculture; exceeding the inclusion threshold (75%) is impractical.

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