Ankit Alok Bagaria is the CEO and co-founder of Loopworm Private Limited, a biotech firm located in Bangalore, India, focusing on using silkworms in aquafeed production.
Global aquatic animal consumption has grown five times over in the last 60 years, according to the FAO, an unmistakable sign of rising protein demand in a resource-constrained world.
Aquaculture has long been positioned as the solution, and it has now surpassed wild-capture fisheries to produce more than half of the world’s seafood. Yet, aquaculture’s promise of abundance comes at the cost of ecological and economic volatility. As the pressure of food and nutrition security conflicts directly with disrupting the ocean ecosystem, insects can power a sustainable, climate-resilient feed upgrade.
Although aquaculture is supposed to relieve pressure on our oceans, it indirectly exacerbates it. Wild-caught forage fish form the backbone of global aquafeed production. Nearly 70 percent of small pelagic species become fishmeal and fish oil that sustain farmed fish. The climate impact is tenable. The oceans absorb 30 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions. Every 1 percent loss in marine biomass reduces carbon sequestration by 0.8 percent. This creates an endless loop, reducing biodiversity, weakening the ocean, and accelerating climate change, which in turn affects marine life.
The dependency on wild-caught fish also amplifies the challenges that aquaculture already faces. Pelagic fish bring pollutants, heavy metals, and microplastics from the ocean into the diet of farmed fish, which compromises their immunity and makes them susceptible to diseases. On the other hand, seasonal and environmental factors lead to sub-optimal nutrition and low feed conversion, as well as supply and price volatility due to events like El Niño.
Domesticated insects are a climate-resilient alternative and a precision nutrition source. They reduce the dependence on marine extraction and allow the oceans to restore their wild stocks. In the last decade, insect proteins have moved from the fringes to the mainstream. Since 2017, with the E.U. approving insect proteins in aquafeed and with ample commercial and academic validation, insect meal adoption has only accelerated.
The advantage with “domesticated insects” lies in consistent quality, clean inputs, and supply stability. As opposed to wild-caught feed, domesticated insects reared in controlled biosecure environments are cleaner, easily traceable and can deliver unique proteins and biofunctional peptides that are otherwise unavailable in traditional fishmeal. The functional potential of these ingredients is particularly transformative for high-value species like salmon, trout, shrimp, and yellowtail.
Insect-derived molecules go far beyond basic feed satisfaction and can be optimized for targeted nutritional outcomes. They are rich in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), phospholipids, and essential sterols that boost the survivability and growth of several aquatic species. The most popular insect used, the black soldier fly (BSF), provides 50 to 65 percent crude protein and contains lauric acid and beneficial omega lipids, which makes it an effective supplement for strengthening immunity in shrimps and supporting growth in salmon. Silkworm pupae, which Loopworm harnesses, provide 50 to 75 percent protein and contain natural chitin, which helps in enhancing shrimp’s gut health while improving digestibility in tilapia. It is also a natural prebiotic that produces beneficial gut microbiota and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity. Meanwhile, mealworm provides a 60 to 62 percent protein profile with balanced amino acids that can help optimize feed conversion ratios (FCR) in tilapia and carp.
At Loopworm, we believe that from just focusing on survival to using feed as leverage for health and growth, insects can become a gamechanger for aquaculture.
The FAO points out that insect rearing requires fewer land and water resources compared to conventional terrestrial or marine ingredients. In addition to a much lower planetary toll, insects also require shorter cultivation cycles, representing a new model for feed manufacture.
This is particularly advantageous for countries with warm climates and long traditions centered around insects. From sericulture to snacks, insect culture has thrived in Asia and Africa. The lower cap-ex and op-ex in these regions can soon turn them into epicenters of insect innovation. Localized production can create a further advantage through an import-independent and resilient supply chain.
The insect feed market is currently valued at USD 2.5 billion (EUR 2.15 billion) and is expected to grow at 17.5 percent CAGR in the next decade. Within this, aquaculture is estimated to claim 43 percent of global insect meal. Asia Pacific is set to dominate this growth. Policy push for circular economies and subsidies could accelerate market share.
Despite the obvious advantages, the industry must address two key issues as a priority: affordability and scale. For years, insect protein has been ecologically sound but economically out of reach for aquafeed substitution. However, with efficient machinery and modular scaling, cost-effectiveness per tonne is reducing. Regulatory bodies adopting certifications like Best Aquaculture Practices, Marine Stewardship Council, and Aquaculture Stewardship Council are in turn encouraging every player to adhere to the highest standards.
A transition from conventional protein sources to insect-based feed is not just a substitution but a reimagining of food systems. Fishmeal is a risky bet. For instance, in Q1 2024, El Niño wreaked havoc on fishmeal supply, with a 27 percent drop in global fishmeal production and a 117 percent spike in prices. For the sake of food security for the future, offsetting the reliance on wild fisheries is a priority. With climate stress compounding in the coming years, the domino effect will eventually disrupt the global supply chain for fishmeal and oil.
Insects offer a unique platform for regenerating the oceans while feeding the planet. It can help fulfill aquaculture's true promise: providing healthy, nutrient-dense seafood to a growing planet without compromising the health of the very oceans that sustain us all.
