© Antony Fortin, Ecocean
Through this partnership, INVE Aquaculture will contribute specialised feed solutions designed for early life stages, supporting BioRestore nursery programmes and helping young fish during the critical period before they are returned to the wild.
Supporting marine biodiversity through science
For more than 20 years, Ecocean has been developing innovative solutions to restore marine biodiversity and strengthen aquatic ecosystems. Through projects deployed across ports, coastal areas and marine environments, the company works with public authorities, industry partners and conservation organisations to improve the survival and recruitment of marine species. [Read The Fish Site’s in-depth feature on Ecocean’s work and vision here].
At the heart of this work is BioRestore, a science-based restoration process built around three key stages: capture, culture and restocking. Wild post-larvae are carefully collected, reared to juvenile stage under controlled conditions during their most vulnerable life stages, and released back into their natural habitats once they are stronger and better prepared to survive.
“Early life marine fish needs diversified and good quality food to grow,” said Gilles Lecaillon, CEO and founder of Ecocean in a press release. “From alive zooplankton collected during the initial BioRestore capture step to the high-quality pellets from INVE, all juveniles need the best to grow! INVE shared their long-time experience and knowledge to fit our specific request.”
Supporting the nursery phase through nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role during the nursery phase of the BioRestore process, when young fish are reared before being released back into the wild. As part of the partnership, INVE Aquaculture will support BioRestore programmes with feed solutions developed for the earliest stages of aquatic life. Drawing on decades of experience in larval nutrition, the company aims to contribute to the growth and robustness of young fish during this critical phase.
Thomas Raynaud, product and business development manager diets at INVE Aquaculture, commented: “Through resource restoration projects like Ecocean’s Biorestore, we, at INVE, contribute our expertise in larval feeding to maximise the success of the reintroduction. I am very proud to have helped establish this partnership, as it highlights our shared passion for the ocean and our desire to respect and protect it for future generations.”
Both organisations share the belief that healthy oceans and sustainable aquaculture are not competing goals, and that science developed in one context can serve the other. This partnership represents a small but concrete step in that direction.
