Overfishing of the oceans is a global problem. According to the environmental protection organization WWF, 33% of commercial fish stocks are affected. In Europe, the situation is even more dramatic: In the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as much as 62.2% of stocks are considered overfished. Meanwhile, however, demand for fish continues to rise. Food tech startup Bluu Seafood wants to rebalance overfished seas with alternatives made from cultured fish cells. Founded in Berlin in 2020, the company has now brought its first cell-based fish products to market with fish sticks and fish balls.

Approvals filed for cell-based fish products

"With the finalization of the first products, we have produced tangible results after less than two years of operational work. This officially makes us the first company in Europe to produce cultured fish. We are working closely with regulatory agencies to clear the way for market launch and are using the time to focus on scaling up," says founder and CEO Sebastian Rakers.

First market launch expected at the end of 2023

The approval processes for the market-ready products are currently being initiated. The company expects initial approval and market launch in Singapore by the end of 2023, as the approval process has progressed furthest there. In addition, approval is being sought in the USA, the UK and the EU, according to the company.

Fish fillets and sashimi in development

The fish products developed by Bluu Seafood are based on trout and salmon cell lines and are grown in a bioreactor without animal serum. In addition, the products have been enriched with vegetable proteins to come as close as possible to the original. Apart from fish sticks and fish balls, the company says it is already working on more complex products such as fish fillets and sashimi. "With Bluu Seafood, we can make an important contribution to the supply of animal protein that allows us to use our oceans in a way that conserves resources and thus hopefully also promotes biodiversity in this habitat that is so important to us all," Rakers emphasizes.

With its expertise in the development and production of cell-based fish, Bluu Seafood was able to attract leading international investors and partners last year.

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