A biotechnology company based in Olhão, in the Algarve, is asserting itself as a European leader in the development of innovative diets for aquaculture, investing in so-called precision feeding to increase production efficiency and reduce waste. Sparos focuses its strategy on the combination of specialized nutrition and digital tools capable of supporting real-time decisions.
In an industry where margins are thin, food management can determine the economic success of a production. Feeding too much or too little has a direct impact on costs, fish growth and the environmental footprint.
Balance that defines profit
According to Canal Alentejo, the difference between profit and loss can be tenuous in aquaculture. Luís Conceição, senior researcher and co-founder of the company, explains that “if we feed fish in excess, we are wasting nutrients, which is not positive, and money is lost”.
On the other hand, adds the publication, “if there is a deficit, we will have an economic loss and, in some cases, a greater environmental impact, because the fish does not grow well and, to reach the ideal commercial weight, it will end up consuming more at the end of the process”.
Precision feeding as a strategy
This logic supports the concept of precision feeding, considered one of the structuring principles of modern aquaculture. According to the same source, the increase in global demand for marine protein means that the expansion of the sector “really has to be sustainable”, which implies greater food efficiency.
It was in this context that the company began to view nutrition not only as a matter of feed formulation, but also of strategy. “Our objective is not only to develop new foods, but also feeding strategies”, says Luís Conceição, quoted by the same publication.
Data that guides decisions
The investment resulted in the creation of an area dedicated to Digital Nutritionfocused on collecting and analyzing data to generate practical recommendations for producers. According to the same source, the use of algorithms makes it possible to predict food needs with greater precision at each stage of cultivation.
One of the projects developed was the HatchToolscompleted last year, which resulted in an application web intended for fish hatcheries. The tool records relevant parameters and suggests dietary plans adjusted to the species in cultivation, explains the website.
Optimize cost or time
The company is also working on the project OptiFeeSHdirected towards the growth and fattening phase. In collaboration with the Greek I2S, creator of software AquaManagera module is being developed that allows you to optimize meal plans based on commercial objectives and specific production conditions, writes the
“It’s one thing to optimize costs, it’s another to optimize time”, highlights Luís Conceição. “If a producer wants to have fish ready for August, when there is greater demand in the market, it may be worth using a more expensive feed, but one that guarantees the right size, at the right time.”
From university to the European market
Founded in 2008 by Luís Conceição and Jorge Dias, researchers linked to CCMAR at the University of Algarve, the company was created with the purpose of strengthening the link between academia and industry. It started by supporting food testing and then moved towards its own production.
Under the motto “Tailoring Your Feeds”, it specializes in tailor-made feeds for different species and life cycle stages. Through personalized diets and digital tools, Sparos seeks to position itself at the forefront of a sector where producing more with less has become a structural requirement.
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