NRGene produces omega-3-rich BSF larvae from fish-processing waste

CANADA – NRGene Canada has produced black soldier fly (BSF) larvae containing marine omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA after rearing the insects on fish-processing by-products, creating potential for a higher-value poultry feed supplement.

The result was achieved through a partnership with Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company, using a dedicated BSF feed recipe developed around local fish-processing waste. 

The recipe was validated at semi-industrial scale at the North American Insect Center in Saskatoon.

The trial processed 0.3 tonnes of feed containing 50% fish-processing by-products and produced approximately 90kg of MaxBSF™ larvae. 

The larvae reached harvest after an 11-day cycle, comprising a five-day nursery stage and six-day grow-out, with a wet feed conversion ratio of approximately 3.3.

Analysis by Prairie Tide Diversified found that larvae reared on the fish-based feed contained 5.16% to 7.94% total omega-3 as a share of total fatty acids, compared with 1.12% in larvae of the same genetics reared on standard feed.

The fish-fed larvae also contained EPA at 1.14% to 1.89% and DHA at 0.37% to 0.65%. Neither marine omega-3 was detected in larvae receiving the standard feed. 

The omega-6 to omega-3 ratio fell as low as 1.2:1, compared with 12.8:1 in the standard-feed larvae.

NRGene said the enhanced nutritional profile could create opportunities for MaxBites™, its dried BSF larvae product for animal feed. 

The company said an omega-3-rich product could potentially be used as a poultry feed supplement, including in laying hens, where the partners aim to explore whether the nutritional profile can support higher omega-3 levels in eggs. 

This remains a potential application rather than a demonstrated production outcome.

The development addresses a key challenge in using fish-processing waste for insect production. 

The by-products are high in moisture and fat and can spoil quickly, requiring a dedicated feed formulation and controlled rearing conditions.

Planned local production

Following the semi-industrial validation, NRGene and Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company are planning an on-site BSF rearing facility in Ile-a-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan, sized around the region’s available fish-processing by-products.

The model would keep the perishable feedstock close to its source while creating an additional outlet for fish-processing waste. 

BSF eggs and neonates would be supplied by FairGene, a NRGene Canada and Fairville Farming joint venture in Alberta that began producing BSF eggs in July 2026.

The project forms part of NRGene Canada’s wider hub-and-spoke model, which combines centralised BSF egg production with regional rearing facilities located near suitable organic by-product streams.

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