Soybean meal has increasingly become a key ingredient in fish feeds as the aquaculture industry strives to meet global demand for its products thanks in part to checkoff research and marketing efforts.


Fish meal scarcity
"Fish meal is getting scarce and more costly, creating a market opportunity for more soybean meal to be used as a protein source in fish and shrimp diets," says Bill Coppess, USB director and a soybean farmer from Ansonia, Ohio. "Soy diets can also decrease the mercury levels in seafood, helping to alleviate some health concerns."

Partner with Kona Blue
One group that has partnered with the checkoff on open-ocean farming is Kona Blue, an operation that sees a definite opportunity for soy and aquaculture to join forces. "If 50 percent of the global expansion in aquaculture is high-end fish and 50 percent of their feed inclusion is soy, that could mean another $7.5 billion worth of soy going to aquaculture," says Neil Sims, president of the Hawaiian-based company that grows high-end Kona Kampachi.

Related website:
United Soybean Board 

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