New insect protein for fish with potential as feed replacer

Aquaculture and technology group Neptune Industries, Inc. announced today that its Aqua Biologics, Inc. subsidiary has begun its Phase 2 research trials with Mississippi State University on the development of its patent pending Ento-Protein™.

Ento-Protein™ is a high quality sustainable protein derived from insects, and is intended to be a replacement for the declining fishmeal products now used in fish and animal diets. This phase of research will include feeding trials on hybrid striped bass with diets substituting 100% of the dietary fishmeal component with Ento-Protein™ meal. Concurrently, the Company is structuring the final Phase 3 research for extended growth trials, which are anticipated to begin in October. The successful completion of Phase 3 trials would pave the way for the implementation of commercial production.

Mr. Sal Cherch, Chief Operating Officer, stated, "We are extremely pleased with the results of our Phase 1 research efforts, and strongly believe that Ento-Protein™ will successfully provide a sustainable, all-natural fishmeal substitute. A staggering 25% of all world fish production goes into fishmeal and fish oil. The world supply of fishmeal is so isolated geographically, that every metric tonne of fishmeal travels an average of 5000 km before it reaches the end user. This has enormous economic implications in supplying the global markets. Our ability to locate Ento-Protein™ production sites worldwide would provide a viable solution to this serious problem. The key to the rapid and successful expansion of global seafood production is through the sustainable commercial production of a high quality dietary protein. Ento-Protein™ is the logical choice to eliminate the industry's dependence upon wild fishmeal as a dietary protein."

According to the firm's president Ernest Papadoyianis, Neptune Industries' patent-pending Ento-Protein would be a sustainable source of protein to replace fish meal, which is currently made from rapidly declining ocean species such as anchovies, sardines and menhaden.

Neptune Industries said its product, which is expected to be on the market within the next year, will initially target organic and natural fish production before moving into the mainstream seafood market.

Fears about reduced global fish stocks have escalated in recent years. A report published last year in the Science journal claimed that all seafood stocks around the world may collapse by 2050 if fishing continues at its current rate. The collapse, which would see more than 90 per cent of all wild seafood that is currently fished disappear, would destroy both ecosystems and fishing economies. The findings pile intense pressure on industry and governments to create a more sustainable production chain.

According to Papadoyianis, Ento-Protein will be a major breakthrough for the fish industry, which is not only faced with a supply shortage for bate fish, but has also been slapped with fish meal price increases at a time when demand - for both meal and fish - is on the up.

"Most research has centered on the use of vegetable derived protein sources which are inferior in digestibility and assimilation in most carnivorous fish species. These sources often lead to a significant decrease in growth in animals fed these diets," said Papadoyianis.

"Ento-Protein is a superior dietary protein source derived from select insect species produced in a sustainable fashion under controlled conditions. Our goal is to provide our industry with a high quality, sustainable protein source for aquaculture diets that complies with U.S. Organic Standards."

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Neptune Industries, Inc. has developed a scalable, modular aquaculture technology called Aqua-Sphere™ and Aqua-Cell™ that successfully address the environmental concerns of most aquaculture operations by controlling and recycling all waste products, while insuring the production of the highest quality fish at an affordable price.

The company currently operates the Blue Heron Aqua Farms in Florida City, FL and is a leading producer of hybrid striped bass, which it markets internationally as Everglades Striped Bass™. The company's current production at its Blue Heron farm, and future production with Aqua-Sphere™ System technology are intended to target the organic market as soon as organic certification of farm-raised seafood becomes available.

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New insect protein for fish with potential as feed replacer