Ocean Twist Biotechnology was founded with a clear vision to protect fragile marine ecosystems from the mounting pressures of overfishing and pollution. As a Business and Sustainability Specialist at Ocean Twist, I am passionate about addressing the unsustainable reliance on forage fish, small species that form the foundation of the oceanic food chain and are increasingly overexploited for fishmeal production. Fishmeal, created by cooking and mashing forage fish into a powdered protein source, is a staple in aquaculture feed, where it often constitutes up to 50% of the feed’s protein content. Shockingly, 25% of global fishing activities are directed toward producing fishmeal, a practice that depletes ocean resources and disrupts marine biodiversity by starving other species that depend on these fish. At Ocean Twist, we offer a groundbreaking solution: a biotech alternative to traditional fishmeal made from agricultural by-products and insect meal. Our approach not only reduces the environmental impact of aquaculture but also helps to restore balance in marine ecosystems. By replacing forage fish in aquaculture feeds, we’ve already protected an estimated seven billion fish from overfishing—a significant achievement that underscores the potential of sustainable innovation. While we are proud of this progress, we remain committed to further reducing aquaculture’s reliance on forage fish and ensuring the long-term health of our oceans.
The Science Behind the solution
Ocean Twist Biotechnology’s innovative aquaculture feed leverages cutting-edge science and a patented biorefinery process to create a highly effective alternative to traditional fishmeal. The process involves two critical steps: first, we concentrate proteins by separating them from anti-nutritional elements, allowing us to closely replicate the nutritional profile of forage fish. This step ensures that the protein content matches the biological needs of fish, which naturally consume other fish in the wild. Second, we predigest the protein using an enzymatic hydrolysis process to improve its digestibility in the fish’s digestive system. Many agricultural by-products and insect meals are not inherently digestible by fish, but our process transforms these raw materials into a form that fish can easily absorb, leading to healthier growth. The result is a high-protein concentrate with over 72% protein content—an exceptional achievement that supports fish health and mimics the benefits of traditional fishmeal. Our feed benefits aquaculture farmers significantly, as proven by 22 pilot tests and product concept trials, which demonstrate over a 25% reduction in fish mortality rates. This improvement is directly linked to better digestibility, which reduces inflammation in fish and leads to healthier and faster-growing populations. Additionally, our feed achieves a 7% increase in fish yield, meaning more marketable fillet weight per fish and greater profitability for farmers. With a 15% improvement in fish growth rates, farmers also benefit from shorter production cycles and reduced operating costs, making our sustainable feed not only an environmental win but also a highly cost-effective solution for the aquaculture industry.
Scaling sustainable solutions: Ocean Twist’s vision for the future
The global feed industry presents an immense opportunity for Ocean Twist Biotechnology, as the interconnected nature of food and feed supply chains drives demand for sustainable alternatives. With the global feed market valued at over €500 billion and the aqua feed segment accounting for €52 billion, the novel protein market for aquaculture alone represents a €7 billion opportunity. This underscores the urgent need for alternative proteins as finite natural resources limit the scalability of traditional feed solutions. Ocean Twist is committed to leveraging this opportunity, using modern tools, technology, and research to create a meaningful impact on the environment while enabling the continued production of healthy and sustainable fish. Feedback from aquaculture farmers using Ocean Twist’s innovative feed has been overwhelmingly positive. Farmers report cleaner water in aquaculture systems—a direct result of the feed's formulation based on circular economic principles that upcycle agricultural by-products and utilize insect meal. This approach not only reduces waste and costs but also ensures healthier fish growth and a sustainable future for aquaculture.
Looking ahead, Ocean Twist is at an exciting juncture, focused on scaling up its insect protein concentrate to reach more farmers and amplify its impact. The company is also intensifying its research into incorporating additional agricultural by-product streams into its supply chain, further enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Partnerships with biofuel producers are being explored to integrate their by-products into the Ocean Twist process, creating new synergies in circular economy practices. Ambitiously, Ocean Twist aims to expand its presence to 25 countries by 2027, bringing its sustainable feed solutions far beyond its Italian roots. Moreover, the company is piloting its feed ingredient for use with Atlantic salmon—the most farmed fish in Europe—marking a significant milestone with the potential for substantial environmental benefits. These developments highlight Ocean Twist’s dedication to driving innovation, expanding its reach, and transforming aquaculture into a more sustainable and impactful industry.
