Lab-grown Fish, will soon be developed by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), as per an MoU signed with a private company.
About Lab-grown Fish:
- It is merely a type of cultivated or cultured seafood made without the sea is and grown in the same way as other cultivated meats, without the need to raise and kill an animal.
- Cultivated fish meat is produced by isolating specific cells from fish and growing them in a laboratory setting using media that is free of animal components.
- The final product is expected to replicate the flavour, texture, and nutritional qualities of ‘real’ fish meat.
- Israel followed by Singapore, the United States and China are the front runners in developing such technologies like 3D printing and research for sustainable manufacturing.
What is the need to grow fish meat in the lab?
- It would address the demand for seafood, and reduce excessive pressure on wild resources.
- Overfishing causes the removal of fish faster than the resource can replenish itself and has resulted in reductions in populations of certain species.
- Lab-grown fish meat can potentially ensure food security and environmental benefits.
- This fish would be antibiotics and environmental contamination-free, without contact with microplastics or heavy metals in the polluted oceans.
Details on Lab-grown fish technology collaboration:
- The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will focus on the genetic, biochemical, and analytical work related to the project.
- Early cell line development of high-value marine fish species will include a process of isolating and cultivating fish cells for further research and development.
- The initial focus is on developing cell-based meat for fish such as pomfret, kingfish, and seerfish.
- The Private entity would focus on cell culture technology, cell growth media, development of microcarriers for cell attachment, and increase production through bioreactors.
- The company will provide necessary consumables, manpower, and any additional equipment needed for the project.
About ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI):
- It was established in 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and later became a part of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1967.
- ICAR is a self-governing organization established in 1929, that coordinates agricultural education and research in India.
- CMFRI has emerged as a leading tropical marine fisheries research institute in the world through various research efforts.
- It focused on estimation of marine fisheries landings, taxonomy of marine organisms, and bio-economic characteristics of the exploited stocks of finfish and shellfish.
- This led to a unique method ‘Stratified Multistage Random Sampling Method’ for estimation of fishery catch and maintains National Marine Fisheries Data Centre (NMFDC).
Ref: Source
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is lab-grown fish?
Lab-grown fish is a type of cultivated seafood produced without the need to raise and kill an animal. It is made by isolating specific cells from fish and growing them in a laboratory setting using media that is free of animal components.
Which countries are leading in lab-grown fish technology?
Israel, followed by Singapore, the United States, and China, are the front runners in developing lab-grown fish technologies, including 3D printing and research for sustainable manufacturing.
What are the benefits of lab-grown fish?
Lab-grown fish can address the demand for seafood, reduce pressure on wild resources, ensure food security, provide environmental benefits, and be free of antibiotics, microplastics, and heavy metals.
What is the role of ICAR-CMFRI in the lab-grown fish project?
ICAR-CMFRI will focus on genetic, biochemical, and analytical work related to the project, including early cell line development of high-value marine fish species like pomfret, kingfish, and seerfish.