Fishmeal Replacement

Fishmeal replacement is the substitution of marine fishmeal and fish oil in aquafeed with alternative protein and lipid sources, the main lever for cutting a farm’s fish-in-fish-out ratio. Plant proteins (soybean meal, rapeseed), insect meal (black soldier fly), single-cell protein from bacteria or yeast, and algal oil for long-chain omega-3s all serve as replacers. Inclusion limits vary by species: single-cell protein has replaced up to about 66 percent of fishmeal in gilthead sea bream, while insect meal often caps near 33 percent before growth drops. Full substitution can raise freshwater, land, and phosphorus demand, a documented trade-off.