Fish feed in aquaculture is at the center of a complicated global story that most people never hear about. In this episode, Andrew sits down with marine biologist and policy expert Marine Cusa to explore the hidden world of fishmeal, fish oil, feed ingredients, and the surprising connections between aquaculture, wild fisheries, West African communities, and even penguin populations in Antarctica. 

Marine breaks down what actually goes into the pellets fed to farmed fish, why transparency is lacking in the supply chain, and how her genetics research is uncovering the real species being used in fish feed. The conversation reveals why feed matters for sustainability, human nutrition, local livelihoods, and the future of aquaculture as demand for seafood continues to grow. Whether you’re new to the topic or already deep in fisheries science, this episode opens the door to a critical but overlooked part of marine conservation. 

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Chapters:
00:00 What farmed fish actually eat and why feed matters
06:32 Why fish feed lacks transparency across the supply chain
12:10 How genetic tools can identify species inside fishmeal and oil
20:12 Impacts of fishmeal factories on West African communities
28:15 Early genetic results and what they reveal about feed composition
39:12 Denmark’s major role in fishmeal production
44:10 How salmon feed changed from 90 percent fish to under 20 percent
53:05 The krill controversy and its link to climate change
57:40 How melting Antarctic ice affects krill, penguins, and ecosystems
1:08:15 What Marine hopes her research will change in aquaculture

#oceanconservation #MarineBiology #SaveOurOceans #ProtectTheOcean #OceanAwareness #BluePlanet #ConservationMatters #ScienceForChange #SustainableOceans
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