# Alt Seafood Scallops AQUA Cultured Foods & Ginkgo are Advancing Fish-Free Seafood Production By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2024-03-27 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alt-seafood References: [vegconomist](https://vegconomist.com/cultivated-cell-cultured-biotechnology/fermentation/aqua-cultured-foods-ginkgo-bioworks-scallop-tuna-alternatives/) & [aquaculturedfoods](https://www.aquaculturedfoods.com/)  Food tech company AQUA Cultured Foods is a leader in the alt seafood industry and it is partnering with [Ginkgo Bioworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-food-colors) to optimize fermentation technology and advance the development of 100% fish-free products. [AQUA Cultured Foods'](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calamari-fries) debut offerings include scallops that mimic the look and taste of freshly caught seafood with microbes, fibers and plant-derived flavors. These components recreate the buttery texture and umami essence of fresh-caught seafood and sidestep issues with traditional seafood such as contaminants, allergens and overfishing. As such, those with diverse dietary needs can enjoy AQUA's fish-free seafood, including pregnant women and those with shellfish allergies. AQUA Cultured Foods' fish-free seafood portfolio also includes tuna made with a patent-pending fermentation process that also only needs a fraction of the resources required by traditional aquaculture. Image Credit: Adahlia Cole ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 33% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 22% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fish-free Seafood Innovations:** AQUA Cultured Foods & Ginkgo Bioworks collaborate to advance alt seafood using fermentation technology for 100% fish-free products. - **Plant-derived Flavors in Alt Seafood:** Alt seafood company recreates the buttery texture and umami essence of fresh-caught seafood with microbes and fibers. - **Resource-efficient Fish-free Tuna:** AQUA Cultured Foods introduces tuna made with a patent-pending fermentation process that reduces resource usage in comparison to traditional aquaculture. ### Where This Applies - **Food Tech:** Advancements in fermentation technology by AQUA Cultured Foods and Ginkgo Bioworks offer disruptive opportunities in the food tech sector. - **Alternative Seafood:** The development of 100% fish-free products by AQUA Cultured Foods presents an innovative edge in the alternative seafood industry. - **Sustainable Aquaculture:** AQUA Cultured Foods' resource-efficient tuna production process highlights opportunities for sustainable innovation within the aquaculture industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fish-Free Calamari Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calamari-fries.md) - [Alt Fish Fillets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-fsh.md) - [Cultured Oyster Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oyster-alternative.md) - [Cultivated Seabass Fillets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fish-alternative.md) - [Dusted Plant-based Scallops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-based-scallops.md) - [Cultivated Eel Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivated-eel.md) - [Cultivated Caviar Pearls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cell-based-caviar.md) - [Plant-Based Seafood Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boldly-plant-based-seafood.md) - [Shelf-Stable Plant-Based Scallops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-based-scallop.md)