From ocean waste to poultry plate: Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) by-product meal as a sustainable protein feed supplement for broiler chickens

Abstract

Fish processing generates large quantities of organic by-products that represent both an environmental management challenge and an underexploited protein-rich resource. This study evaluated four yellowfin tuna by-product meal inclusion levels in broiler diets over a 43-day experimental period. The 8% treatment achieved the highest final mean body weight, greatest total weight gain, and best feed conversion ratio, significantly outperforming the control. The findings support an 8% inclusion as a cost-effective, nutritionally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable partial protein supplement for broiler diets.