Protix has announced the first-ever full-grown salmon raised on insect-based proteins. This major step toward aquaculture sustainability will accelerate the diversion from fish meal which places a heavy burden on marine ecosystems.
“This is a proud moment for Protix and we call it the Blue Shift,” said Protix CEO Kees Aarts. “We started in 2009 with the idea to contribute to a sustainable food system and the Friendly Salmon presented today is a real example of that. Natural ingredients, no pressure on marine resources and healthy for the fish, the planet and ourselves.”
Protix has worked with industry leading partners in Norway, like the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). The collaboration called Aquafly had a goal to develop a unique and sustainable feed for salmon derived from Protix’s ProteinX ingredient. The Friendly Salmon is a result of that project. The non-sustainable fishmeal made from wild catch fish has been completely replaced by insect protein during the growth phases in fresh and salt water until they are ready to eat. The fish grew well and the health was great throughout the growth stages.
“Today’s announcement is the result of relentless work alongside our partners,” said Protix CCO Tarique Arsiwalla. “We’re proud to have developed the quality insect ingredients required for a demanding and ‘picky’ fish species like the Atlantic salmon. We look forward to bringing this natural fish feed ingredient to our customers and partners.”
This development is a major step forward for the insect industry as a whole and comes on the heels of the European Union adopting a regulation approving insect meal in aquafeed, which paved the way for insect proteins to play a significant role in the future of aquaculture.