Fish raised through aquaculture need to be fed fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids) and fish meal (protein), which are both traditionally produced from wild fish stocks -- and the world is struggling to keep up. Then again, every problem in food security can also be viewed as an opportunity. These 10 low-key companies are choosing to view the situation through the more optimistic lens and changing aquaculture in the process.

Traditionally, a sizable amount of fish protein and all Omega-3 fatty acid fish oils are ultimately sourced from leftover aquaculture byproducts and wild menhaden catch, which are processed into feed pellets and fish oil products. (Menhaden is a type of fish.) The latter industry is heavily regulated, with catch volumes set for specific years, which has forced feed producers to get creative with their supply chains over the years. However, a fish-eat-fish world can only be sustainable for so long.

That\'s why these companies are looking to protein and Omega-3 sources that aren\'t connected to fisheries and aquaculture.

All five partnerships are gearing up to have commercial-scale production of protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, or both online by the end of the decade. Each is launching with a slightly different approach.

For instance, TerraVia and Bunge are offering their AlgaPrime branded DHA ingredient to aquaculture stakeholders throughout the world through a distribution agreement with BioMar, which is the leading fish-feed logistics company. They\'ve also announced that several leading salmon farmers have agreed to adopt the product. 

TerraVia and Bunge initially built a 100,000 MT per year facility in Brazil to target food and industrial chemicals, but the pivot to fish feed has helped them be among the first to make moves in the market. The joint venture between the two is expected to generate $25 million to $30 million in revenue this year -- if production issues or bankruptcy for the former don\'t get in the way. 

Source:  Madison.com // Original Article