Dr. Margaret Hegwood

Single-cell proteins (SCPs) are emerging as a credible and scalable alternative to fishmeal in aquafeed as marine ingredient supplies face growing pressure. Produced through fermentation using microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, and microalgae, SCPs can utilise circular feedstocks including agricultural by-products and industrial side streams. CFI’s upcoming report explores SCP nutrition, scalability, sustainability, safety, regulation, and market adoption.

The 2026 Climate Investor Forum in Melbourne brought together more than 550 investors, corporates, policymakers, and innovators to discuss how climate capital can scale real-world solutions. While global investment in the energy transition continues to grow, agriculture and food systems remain underfunded. This blog highlights key insights from the forum and explores what they mean for feed innovation, including the financing gap, the “missing middle,” and rising investor interest in methane-red

In this interview, Prof. Ling Cao discusses new research highlighting growing risks to fishmeal and fish oil supplies and the implications for aquaculture. She outlines why diversifying aquafeed ingredients is essential for sustainability, resilience, and long-term food security, and reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing novel feed adoption.