As aquaculture continues to grow worldwide, the demand for nutritional fish meal (FM) is
increasing. Fish meal production increased 6.5% in the first eight months of 2021, yet this is not
the sustainable choice for commercial aquaculture. The nutritional breakdown of commercial FM
can be supplemented with alternative choices that have a more sustainable production path. It
is estimated that 90% of the fish used for FM meets the standards for human consumption, so
why are we using it to feed the fish we intend to eat? Global feed fish stocks are declining and
disrupting ocean ecosystems. The potential of these fisheries collapsing could be devastating
for maintaining the seafood industry. The current movement to continue adding soy-based
protein to FM leads to an increasingly unsustainable future. Additionally, there are alternative
proteins, such as seaweed and microbial meals that have yet to hit the commercial scale but are
promising nutritional supplements. These emerging protein alternatives have significantly less
carbon footprints when compared to soy and fish products, while maintaining the necessary
nutrients. In short, this paper will review current fishmeal ingredients and alternative, novel
fishmeal substitutes for their nutrient profiles and sustainability. As we continue to keep our
planet’s health in mind, it is imperative to prioritize sustainability and efficiency while considering
FM alternative proteins. Although many of these products are in the infancy of production we will
discuss their potential to reach the commercial aquaculture market. While also considering
anti-nutritional factors and potential environmental externalities. Further research investigating
the success of these products in a large-scale setting still needs to be addressed.