F3 – Future of Fish Feed is a collaborative effort between NGOs, researchers, and private partnerships to accelerate and support the scaling of innovative, substitute aquaculture feed ingredients such as bacterial meals, plant-based proteins, algae, and yeast to replace wild-caught fish.  The F3 Team welcomes collaboration with governments, NGOs, and companies to attain the goal of sustainable feeds in agriculture and aquaculture, so that our shared future becomes more sustainable.

“Fishmeal alternatives continue to be developed, like algae, bacteria from methane production or microbial proteins from carbon dioxide sequestration. We are trying to turn plant-based ingredients into animal-based ingredients… The trick is to make plant meal behave like fishmeal, not to turn carnivores into herbivores.

 

Fish do not require fishmeal. They require the nutrients that fishmeal happens to contain. That is why fishmeal has been used so much in aquaculture. If you take the fishmeal out, you must supplement with other ingredients to get the necessary nutrients, hence the need to develop other protein sources. If diets are formulated correctly and contain all essential nutrients, growth rate and feed efficiency will be good.”
Dr. Rick Barrows, F3 Chief Scientific Officer

Background

Aquaculture now provides over 50% of the world’s seafood, and continues to grow. However, aquaculture faces a supply-chain bottleneck – fishmeal and fish oil derived from forage fish to feed farmed fish. Heavy reliance on forage fish threatens food security worldwide as well as the future of ocean wildlife such as seabirds and marine mammals like whales, seals, and dolphins. To feed the ever-increasing global populations and protect the health of our oceans, the aquaculture industry must innovate sustainable fish-free substitutes for fishmeal and fish oil.

Challenges Save Fish!

Fish-Free Feed Challenge (2015-2017)
To sell fish-free aquafeeds using innovative formulations of proteins and lipids.

Winner: Guangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co.
Impact: 350 million forage fish saved*
*Our assumptions for this calculation are here, with a breakdown of the calculations here.

Fish Oil Challenge (2017-2019)
To create fish oil replacements that contain essential fatty acids in ratios that mimic the average fish oil.

Winner: Veramaris
Impact: 2 billion forage fish saved*
*Our assumptions for this estimate are here, with a breakdown of the calculations here.

F3 Challenge – Carnivore Edition (Present)
To create fish-free feeds for the biggest consumers of forage fish (3 categories): salmonids, shrimp, or other carnivorous species.

Meetings

To facilitate networking and collaboration between ingredient suppliers, feed companies, farmers, and investors to accelerate the adoption of fish-free feeds in aquaculture. These meetings give F3 Challenge contestants the opportunity to connect with the rest of the supply chain and showcase their products.

Feed Research and Demonstration Trials

Research Trials
To push the envelope and develop feeds demonstrating substitutes for fishmeal and fish oil succeed in growth and survival. Our focus is the largest-consuming, popular aquacultured species.

  • Species: California Yellowtail, Kampachi Yellowtail, Whiteleg Shrimp, Florida Pompano, Largemouth
    Bass, Rabbitfish, Rudderfish
  • Publications in press and review in major aquaculture journals

Feed Innovation Network (FIN)
To encourage sustainable innovations in aquafeeds by sharing experimental protocols, open feed formulas, resources for purchasing and testing ingredients, and access to experts in fish nutrition.

Organizations committed to supporting F3 efforts

Thanks to Anonymous Donors as well!

Past Sponsors

Leadership

 

Dr. Kevin FitzsimmonsUniversity of ArizonaFormer President World Aquaculture Society, Aquaculture and Integrated Farming Systems, Aquaculture Extension Specialist, Tilapia Expert, Fullbright Fellow

Technical Advisory Panel

 

Dr. Rick BarrowsAquatic Feed Technologies, USDA/ARS ret.Nutritionist, Feed and Fish physiology, F3 Chief Scientific Adviser Background, Publications
Dr. Michael TlustyUniversity of Massachusetts BostonSeafood Sustainability, Research Faculty in Aquaculture, Sustainable Seafood Policy and Management
Dr. Wendy SealeyU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceResearch Physiologist
Dr. Roz NaylorStanford UniversityFood Security and the Environment, Economist
Dr. Hillary EgnaOregon State UniversityAquaculture and International Development

Industry Advisory Panel

 

Dan ChenGuangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co., Ltd.President
Yuchi ChenGuangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co., Ltd.Vice President
Karim KurmalyVeramarisCEO
Chris OakesNovoNutrientsVice President Market and Product Development

International Advisory Panel

 

Dr. Ling CaoShanghai Jiao Tong University, Stanford UniversitySustainable Aquaculture/Policy and Management, China
Dr. Loc TranNong Lam University, Shrimp Vet LaboratoryDisease Expert, Vietnam

Coordination & Administration

 

Kelly AlfreyAnthropocene Institute
Dr. Barbara PageAnthropocene Institute
Alex DriedgerAnthropocene Institute
Annie ReisewitzStrategic Ocean SolutionsF3 Media Liaison