June 6, 2024

 

Global aquaculture firms commit to testing F3 Krill Replacement Challenge winners

Multiple international companies have committed to testing and potentially using the winning products of the F3 Krill Replacement Challenge in their operations, SeafoodSource reported.

 

The Future of Fish Feed (F3) organisation has been running challenges since 2015 to push companies to innovate fish-free aquaculture feed. Past winners include Veramaris, Star Milling Co, and Empagran.

 

The krill-replacement challenge, launched in June 2023, aims to find solutions for removing krill from aquaculture feed. The competition began with 40 applicants, narrowed down to 10 finalists in November 2023. These finalists are now undergoing comparative feed trials using F3-designed, plant-based feed for Atlantic salmon.

 

F3 announced that five companies have agreed to test the winning products within their commercial operations, calling this a "significant milestone for the future of fish feed."

 

The five companies include Denmark-headquartered BioMar Group, which reported strong financial results in 2023 and recently posted its highest-ever Q1 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). BioMar has focused on minimizing marine ingredients with its "Blue Impact" feed product, which was adopted by Scottish salmon company Loch Duart with better-than-expected results.

 

Denmark-based Aller Aqua, a fish feed producer for over 30 species of freshwater and saltwater fish, has also committed. The company has pledged to reduce its CO2-equivalent emissions and, in 2021, eliminated its use of soy from South America due to sustainability concerns.

 

Thailand-based grouper farmer Aqquua, the only Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified producer of farmed grouper in the world, has pledged to use the F3 Krill Replacement Challenge feed for its products.

 

Japan-based Dainichi Corporation, trading over 50 species of fish and specialising in aquaculture feeds, is another participant.

 

The final company, China-based Yuehai Feed Group, is known for large-scale management of high-quality aquatic feeds, according to F3.

 

The winners of the F3 Krill Replacement Challenge will be announced in early 2025.

 

-      SeafoodSource