OVERVIEW

THE CURRENT F3 CHALLENGE: Fish FARMS

This F3 Fish Farm Challenge rewards farmers with increased visibility and a cash prize for producing and selling the most carnivorous finfish raised on marine animal–free feeds in one of two contest tracks.

A total of $200,000 USD in cash prizes will be rewarded to 4 top-performing farms.

The Challenge has 2 contests: a 2-Year and 4-Year Contest. 

Who Can Participate?

Prize money will be awarded to the registered farm, which can lead a team including ingredient suppliers, feed companies, or other partners. Feed and ingredient companies may join multiple teams. Previous winners of the main F3 cash prize cannot lead a team but may participate as members.

Qualifications

To qualify, farmers must grow carnivorous finfish using marine-animal–free diets beginning no later than the fingerling stage (defined as 25 grams), though they may start earlier.

Farms not selling salmonids must receive F3 Team approval to confirm their species qualifies as carnivorous.

All farms must be able to sell their fish in Challenge Markets, which are still being determined. Participants will receive the Challenge Markets after registration when these are finalized.

Farms must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Official Challenge Rules. Please review the rules carefully to confirm participation.

Prize Details

Up to four prizes will be awarded to the competitors that achieve the highest sales by weight, measured in metric tonnes, of finfish raised on marine-animal–free feeds during the Challenge sales periods. Winners will be recognized at an award ceremony during an industry-focused conference.

For both the 2-Year and 4-Year Contest:

1. • The winning farm will receive a $90,000 USD prize.
   • A special award of $10,000 USD will be given to the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farm that sells the most.

Challenge Timeline

The F3 Fish Farm Challenge will run along two contest tracks: 

2-Year Contest: 2025–2027, which recognizes farmers already producing and selling carnivorous finfish raised on feeds free of marine animal ingredients. Registration for the short-term track opens September 16, 2025, and closes April 30, 2026.

4-Year Contest: 2025–2029, which supports farmers and teams developing new innovations in feed and farming practices to drive sustainable growth. Registration for the long-term contest track opens on September 16, 2025 and closes on April 30, 2028.

Registration for both contest tracks opens on September 16, 2025.

The F3 Challenge: Accelerating Industry Solutions

Most wild-capture fisheries are already at their limits or in decline, creating serious supply chain risks for aquaculture—including ingredient shortages, rising feed costs, and unstable production.

In 2023, the abrupt closure of the Peruvian anchoveta fishery season triggered exactly this scenario: feed companies scrambled for substitutes.

Without industry-wide innovation, the further decline or disappearance of wild-caught inputs would reduce the viability of large segments of finfish aquaculture, ultimately shrinking the diversity of seafood available to consumers.

The consequences extend beyond aquaculture. These forage fisheries represent one-third of global wild catch and are foundational for commercially important wild catch, such as salmon, cod and tuna. 

If forage fisheries were diminished, large segments of seafood – both farmed and wild – would be unavailable, ultimately shrinking the diversity of seafood available to consumers. 

Fewer forage fish would also impact ecosystems that support marine food webs for seabirds and marine mammals, resulting in fewer of those animals and ecosystem collapse. F3 shows a way to avert that dire scenario.

WHY JOIN THE F3 CHALLENGE?

By joining the F3 Fish Farm Challenge, fish farmers can use the challenge as a catalyst to innovate and to enhance their resilience against supply chain disruptions. With new feed ingredients, their businesses are positioned for expansion and can continue to grow.

Additional benefits include:

Increased Visibility and New Customers: Participants gain significant positive exposure throughout the contest. The previous F3 Krill Replacement Challenge, achieved more than 1,000 news placements, reaching a potential audience of over 200 million viewers through targeted global seafood industry media outlets. 

Enhanced Network Opportunities: Participants are invited to the invitation-only F3 Meeting. In the past, the challenge has also attracted new business from sustainability-minded consumers for contest participants. The invitation-only event enhanced their reputations for innovation and social responsibility, while also opening doors to new business opportunities and industry connections. In the past, the challenge has also attracted new business from sustainability-minded consumers for contest winners.

Do Well by Doing Good: Future proofing your feeds also reduces pressure on wild fisheries—contributing to healthier oceans and a more sustainable seafood future.

F3 Feed Resources: Need Help Future Proofing Your Feed?

Visit F3 FIN for feed formulas, research, suppliers and more. www.f3fin.org

Have questions? Reach out to us at f3farmchallenge@gmail.com. 

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