Introduction - Food Security Project

25kg Fish Consumption Per Capita

$104M Annual Fish Imports

36 Project Duration (Months)

Background and Preliminary Data

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing sector in global food production and is crucial for global food security (FAO, 2022; Garlock et al., 2022). In Qatar, where arable land is scarce and water stress is high, aquaculture offers a viable solution for protein production.

Despite a high fish consumption rate of 25 kg per capita annually—above the global average of 20 kg—Qatar remains heavily reliant on imported fish, totalling about $104 million in 2020, with exports of less than $200,000 (FAO, 2023).

Fish farming's minimal arable land requirements make it ideal for Qatar's arid conditions and a key component of its food security goals. The country's National Food Security Strategy 2018-2023 emphasizes increasing domestic food production, with aquaculture playing a significant role.

Traditional fish feed relies heavily on fishmeal and fish oil from wild-caught fish, creating an unsustainable cycle. Our research explores microbial protein alternatives, specifically photosynthetic purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), which can be cultivated on food processing wastewater (FSPW) to create sustainable aquaculture feed.

Preliminary Data

Several researchers on this proposal, including the LPI from HBKU, a consultant from Shell Qatar, and a post-doctoral fellow from HBKU, previously collaborated on project MME01-0910-190029. This foundational project focused on the biological conversion of FSPW to single-cell protein for aquaculture feed using PNSB.

The research was crucial in refining biomass protein quantification methods and demonstrating the feasibility of anaerobically treating FSPW with a PNSB-dominated mixed culture to recover microbial protein. Key findings from our preliminary work include:

Successful operation of a 155 L reactor for PNSB cultivation
Protein content of 60-65% in dried PNSB biomass
Favorable amino acid profile comparable to commercial fishmeal
Positive results in shrimp feeding trials with PNSB-based feed

Research Objectives

The objectives of this research proposal are fourfold. They are to:

Transition PNSB treatment and bioresource recovery process to continuous operation system, optimizing parameters for maximum protein yield and nutrient recovery.
Undertake detailed biomass characterization to ascertain composition and assess toxicity, ensuring safety and nutritional adequacy for aquaculture applications.
Explore methods of improving biomass digestibility to enhance the bioavailability of feed biomass bioproducts, increasing their nutritional value.
Conduct large-scale aquaculture trials by feeding shrimps and Asian sea bass with digested PNSB biomass, evaluating growth performance and health indicators.
Assess socio-economic viability and environmental sustainability of biomass-based feed for the local market, analyzing lifecycle impacts and economic feasibility.

Expected Outcomes

The outcomes of this project are strategically aligned with Qatar's national priorities, particularly under QRDI's focus areas of resource sustainability, energy, and society.

By developing alternative feed proteins using locally abundant waste materials (FSPW) and renewable solar energy, this project addresses resource sustainability by:

Reducing dependency on imported feeds
Preserving depleted marine livestock
Conserving freshwater resources
Minimizing the use of arable land

Furthermore, this initiative supports societal goals by advancing Qatar's self-sufficiency and food security, promoting a circular economy, and engaging the next generation of Qatari scientists in hands-on research on innovative technologies and sustainable practices.

The project will deliver a proven, scalable technology for producing sustainable aquaculture feed, contributing to Qatar's food security while minimizing environmental impact. It represents a significant step toward a circular bioeconomy where waste streams are valorized into valuable products.