When executives that once helmed two of the world's largest aquaculture companies joined the boards of leading insect meal producers earlier this year, it signaled a shift in how both sides of the equation see the promise of novel ingredients.

In March, the former CEO of the world's largest salmon farming company Mowi, Alf-Helge Aarskog, joined insect-based aquafeed ingredients producer InnovaFeed's board. Soon after, former Cargill Aqua Nutrition President Einar Wathne was elected to the advisory board of Netherlands-based insect ingredient group Protix.