Project number
25065
Organization
UA Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Offering
ENGR498-F2024-S2025
Conventional fish feed often contributes to overfishing, environmental degradation and significant challenges for small-scale farmers in developing countries, particularly in countries like South Africa. To meet the increasing global demand for fish while ensuring environmental sustainability and addressing the economic challenges posed by conventional fish feed, the team experimentally compared three innovative insect-based fish feed alternatives.
This project focused on two specific insect sources: mealworms and black soldier flies. The team developed a careful process for cultivating, blending and producing these insects into pelletized fish feed designed for tilapia farming. This method enhances the nutritional value of the feed and reduces its environmental impact, as these insects require minimal land, water and cost.
By prioritizing the needs of small-scale farmers, the team aimed to offer an alternative to traditional feed that enhances economic viability and boosts food security. Moreover, this insect-based feed’s production scalability means it can extend beyond South Africa where it can contribute to more sustainable practices in global aquaculture. The team’s findings provide valuable insights that could significantly reshape fish farming practices and balance productivity with ecological responsibility, even on an industrial scale.
This project focused on two specific insect sources: mealworms and black soldier flies. The team developed a careful process for cultivating, blending and producing these insects into pelletized fish feed designed for tilapia farming. This method enhances the nutritional value of the feed and reduces its environmental impact, as these insects require minimal land, water and cost.
By prioritizing the needs of small-scale farmers, the team aimed to offer an alternative to traditional feed that enhances economic viability and boosts food security. Moreover, this insect-based feed’s production scalability means it can extend beyond South Africa where it can contribute to more sustainable practices in global aquaculture. The team’s findings provide valuable insights that could significantly reshape fish farming practices and balance productivity with ecological responsibility, even on an industrial scale.