Fly larvae feed set to revolutionise Indian aquaculture

This insect protein-based feed aims to reduce reliance on traditional fishmeal, a practice often associated with overfishing and price volatility.

“The innovation promotes sustainable and cost-effective practices in the aquaculture industry,” explained Dr Grinson George, director of CMFRI.

“This aligns with global efforts to make aquaculture eco-friendly and reduce the environmental footprint of fish farming.”

To promote large-scale commercial production, CMFRI has transferred the technology to waste management solution start-up, Amala Ecoclean, under a memorandum of understanding bringing the technology to fish farmers across India.

The research team at CMFRI’s Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division reports that the BSF larvae feed effectively maintains the growth rates of various farmed fish species, making it a viable alternative to conventional feeds like fishmeal and soybean.

Rich in essential nutrients, the larvae contain 40-45% protein and provide a balanced diet that enhances the overall feed conversion ratio, potentially reducing costs for fish farmers.

Initial trials have shown that the larvae-based feed performs comparably to traditional feeds. As part of the commercialisation process, ICAR-CMFRI and Amala Ecoclean will collaborate on further research to optimise the feed for different fish species and farming conditions.