FEESH...the feed for your fish
Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector and is vital for meeting the protein needs of a growing global population. Yet, its growth is constrained by reliance on two unsustainable protein sources: fishmeal and soy protein concentrate (SPC). Fishmeal is produced from wild-caught fish, putting pressure on already fragile marine ecosystems, while soy production drives large-scale deforestation and carries a heavy carbon footprint. Both are also subject to volatile global markets, making aquafeed production environmentally damaging, expensive, and vulnerable.
Insects, particularly Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), are an attractive and more sustainable alternative. They can be produced locally, upcycle organic waste streams into valuable protein, and have a low environmental footprint. However, despite this potential, insect meal remains a niche ingredient in aquafeeds. The main barrier is chitin, a fiber-like polymer in the insect exoskeleton that reduces digestibility and locks away valuable proteins. This limits inclusion rates of BSFL meal in aquafeeds to just 2–8%, far below the levels needed to meaningfully replace fishmeal and soy.
At FEESH, we are solving this problem by applying a precision microbial fermentation platform, enhanced with ultrasonication pre-treatment, to upgrade BSFL meal into a high-performance protein ingredient. Our process disrupts the chitin-protein matrix, making proteins more bioavailable, reducing indigestible fiber, and enriching the lipid fraction with beneficial fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. Additionally, fermentation produces bioactive peptides and immunostimulatory compounds that improve gut health and disease resilience in fish.
The result is a fermented insect meal with digestibility levels reaching 90–95%, enabling high inclusion rates of >20% in aquafeeds without compromising fish growth, palatability, or welfare. By combining biological and physical processing, FEESH unlocks the true nutritional potential of insects, transforming them from a niche supplement into a viable replacement for fishmeal and soy protein concentrate.
This matters because the aquafeed industry needs scalable, circular, and climate-friendly solutions. Our innovation reduces dependence on environmentally destructive feed sources, cuts CO₂ emissions, and strengthens food system resilience. For insect producers, it creates new market opportunities with higher-value products. For aquafeed formulators and fish farmers, it delivers a sustainable, locally produced protein that supports both performance and animal health. And for society, it contributes to global food security and a more sustainable bioeconomy.
FEESH is pioneering the next generation of aquafeed ingredients, designed not just to sustain aquaculture, but to make it thrive responsibly.