The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has estimated that approximately 90% of wild stocks are overfished or fully fished with no potential for increased production. In contrast, fish production from aquaculture has increased at an annual rate of 5 6% over the same time period. Nearly all of that incremental supply has gone towards human consumption and 80+% of that production originated in developing countries.

Moreover, much of aquaculture is still dependent on marine ingredients for feed which are sourced from wild fish stocks. Currently, over 20% of wild caught fish, or approximately 21 million tonnes per year, is directed towards non-food uses, primarily reduction into fishmeal and fish oil which is largely utilized as a raw material for direct feeding in aquaculture. As capture fishery production has stagnated over the last several decades, having reached biologically sustainable limits, reliance on wild-caught fish has increased feed costs dramatically while pressuring marine ecosystems.

In order to foster the continuation of aquacultures growth in a sustainable manner which is consistent with SDG 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development significant action on multiple fronts is required.

Calysta recognizes the critical role aquaculture has and will continue to play in supporting both blue growth and food security, particularly in developing countries and amidst an increasing global population. Calysta also appreciates that the availability of feed in the requisite quantity and quality remains a key constraint on the expansion of aquaculture in a sustainable manner. In response, Calysta has committed substantial financial, human and technological resources towards commercializing FeedKind protein, a safe, natural, sustainable and traceable feed ingredient which offers a viable solution to aquacultures increasing demand for high-protein feed ingredients.

Calystas FeedKind protein provides a healthy and sustainable alternative to wild catch-derived fishmeal, while not compromising on nutrition or digestibility. It delivers a macronutrient composition similar to fishmeal, thus supporting healthy growth in farmed fish, and is produced via a natural fermentation of low cost, non-sugar-based feedstocks which do not compete with the human food chain nor impact wild fisheries.

It offers a powerful means by which to execute upon several key components of SDG 14, most notably enabling the restoration of fish stocks and mitigation of destructive fishing practices (SDG 14.4). In light of the finite supply of sustainably harvested fishmeal, growth in aquaculture cannot continue on its current trajectory without the development of new alternatives. With FeedKind proteins production capacity expected to be 20,000 tonnes per annum by 2019 and a total of approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum by year-end 2020, meaningful quantities of a nourishing fishmeal alternative will be available on a timeline consistent with SDG 14.4.

Promoting sustainable fishing and fish-farming practices will not only contribute to resource and ecosystem management and conservation, but also ensure that the worlds oceans and seas are able to deliver nutritious food far into the future.