A series of experiments showed that fishmeal is not an essential ingredient in tilapia feeds and that plant protein-based diets can yield results similar to those obtained with diets containing 10 per cent fishmeal, write Nathan Gur and Guy Rubinstein, Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Taken from the Global Aquaculture Advocate, a Global Aquaculture Alliance publication.For years, fishmeal has been considered an essential ingredient in fish and crustaceans feeds. Due to rising prices and the ever-growing gap between fishmeal supply and demand, however, intensive research is being conducted to identify suitable substitutes for fishmeal that support production levels equivalent to those achieved with feeds containing fishmeal. - See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/articles/1856/fishmealfree-feeds-for-hybrid-tilapia#sthash.Od7IPZd7.dpuf

The Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Wuhan Lanesync Supply Chain Management Co. Ltd., in which the two organizations will work collaboratively to cross-promote the organizations’ activities and to advance responsible aquaculture.

Based in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, Wuhan Lanesync handles purchasing, distribution, logistics, marketing, processing and other activities for more than 35,000 restaurants and hotels throughout China. The company operates more than 200 Xianzhilong retail outlets and seven warehouses with a combined annual purchasing power of more than U.S. $158 million. It strives to build innovative B2B2C e-commerce and information platforms in the cold-chain industry.

Wuhan Lanesync became a GAA Governing Member in early 2013.

As part of the MoU, GAA has been designated as a supporting partner of the Food Products and Ingredients Expo of China, which is organized by Wuhan Lanesync and scheduled to take place in Wuhan from March 21 to 25, 2014. The expo will feature more than 500 exhibitors from China and abroad, including China’s top 50 restaurant chains, and welcome suppliers and buyers from around the world. GAA will be among the exhibitors and will play a role in the one of two conference programs running concurrently with the four-day exhibition.

Wuhan Lanesync will also assist GAA in connecting with Chinese foodservice operators and retailers and in promoting the GAA’s Best Aquaculture Practices third-party certification program to the Chinese marketplace.

In return, GAA will promote the Food Products and Ingredients Expo of China to its membership through its various communications vehicles and encourage seafood suppliers from beyond China to exhibit or attend the trade show.