INSECT MEAL: AN EMERGING ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE FEED INDUSTRY.

The aquaculture industry heavily relies on fishmeal and fish oil, which are derived from wild fish stocks. With concerns about overfishing and limited marine resources, finding alternative and sustainable feed sources is crucial. Plantbased protein source commonly used in aquaculture feeds. It is rich in protein and has a balanced amino acid profile. However, anti-nutritional factors in plant-based protein sources may impact digestibility in certain species, and plant cultivation practices also raise environmental concerns. Therefore, other sources of feedstuffs need to be investigated to substitute fish meal, fish oil and plant-based protein in aquafeeds without any effect on production. So, Insect Meal is gaining attention as a sustainable and nutritious protein source for aquaculture feeds. They have a high protein content and favourable amino acid profiles and can be produced using organic waste. Due to increasing prices of fish meal and oil, more plant-based material from legumes, oilseeds or cereal gluten has been used in the feed. But, it is difficult to substitute large amounts of fish meal and fish oil with plant-based material. For this reason, insect meal could be beneficial and could replace fish meal or plant content. An alternative to fish meal and soya bean has been found in insect meal. Insects generally consist of 40 to 60% protein. Insect meals can replace fish meals and plant-based ingredients in feed. Insects require less space and utilize less energy for cultivation. Insect meal can be mixed with other feed components to form a mixture of a balanced composition and then pressed into pellets for better and more convenient feeding to cultured species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]