Insect Meal in Aquaculture Feeds-Historical Development, Current Applications, and Future Perspectives

Authors : Tolga Şahin

Pages : 902-912

Doi:10.35229/jaes.1768797

View : 102 | Download : 382

Publication Date : 2025-11-30

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :Global aquaculture production, reaching 223 million tons in 2022, has outpaced wild-capture fisheries, escalating dependence on unsustainable fishmeal resources. Insect meals offer a sustainable alternative, providing high crude protein, balanced amino acid profiles, and bioactive compounds like chitin, lauric acid, and antimicrobial peptides. These support growth, gut health, and immunity in species such as salmon, tilapia, and shrimp, with feeding trials showing up to 100% fishmeal replacement without compromising performance in certain cases. Reared on agro-industrial by-products, insect meals align with circular economy principles, reducing land and water use and alleviating pressure on marine ecosystems. Challenges include high production costs (US $3,800–6,000/ton), substrate contamination risks from heavy metals or chemical residues, and regulatory disparities, though the European Union’s 2017 Regulation (EU 2017/893) marked a key milestone by authorizing several insect species for aquafeeds. Future research priorities, while more briefly addressed, include assessing how rearing substrates influence nutritional profiles and exploring insect meal formulations. This review traces the historical evolution of insect meal use in aquafeeds, examines nutritional benefits, application outcomes, economic constraints, and environmental advantages, and highlights both the opportunities and challenges for large-scale adoption in sustainable aquaculture.
Keywords : akuakültür, döngüsel ekonomi, balık yemi, balık unu ikâmesi, sürdürülebilirlik

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