Namaka algae, INC- technical abstract and summary: feeding the increasing populations sustainably is a global challenge and aquaculture will be part of the solution

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded Namaka Algae, Inc. $189,798 on September 1, 2026, under the NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (CFDA 11.021).

Namaka Algae will develop three proprietary marine algae ingredient formulations for use in aquaculture feeds, working with fish farmers and feed manufacturers in Hawaii. The formulations are designed to reduce feed production costs, improve the nutritional quality of farmed fish and shrimp, and lower the carbon footprint of aquafeed production, thereby increasing local food sovereignty in Hawaii. Marine algae produces nutritional equivalents to traditional fish meal and fish oil sources but faces high production costs; Namaka's technology aims to make algae-based ingredients economically competitive for commercial aquafeed applications.

Performance occurs in Waimea, Hawaii, with a completion date of February 26, 2027. The award is a Phase I Project Grant under the SBIR program, which funds small business innovation in support of federal research and development needs.

Production of aquaculture proteins such as fish and shrimp are extremely resource efficient compared with other farmed protein sources like chickens, pigs and cows, producing 3 8.7 times more protein with the same feed inputs and much less water. Problems for aquaculture growth include the limited supply of marine proteins and fats for feed production, as well as the high carbon footprint of alternatives to marine proteins and fats. IT is well known and generally accepted that marine algae produce equivalent nutritional quality ingredients to traditional fish meal and fish oil sources, however their use in aquaculture feeds is limited due to high production costs. Namaka algae has technology to overcome high production costs and make algae an affordable aquafeed ingredient. Namaka will work closely with fish farmers and feed manufacturers in hawaii to develop (3) proprietary ingredient formulations to contribute to locally produced aquafeeds increasing food sovereignty in hawaii. Our formulations will reduce cost, improve nutritional quality of the feeds and therefore the nutritional quality and health of the aqua cultured animals, and reduce carbon footprint helping to accelerate industry growth.