Marine Derived Proteins Market By Source (Fish Proteins, Shellfish Proteins, Algal Proteins, Others); By Application (Food & Beverages, Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Animal Feed & Pet Nutrition); By End User (Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Nutraceutical & Supplement Brands, Cosmetics Companies, Pharma & Biotech Firms, Feed & Pet Nutrition Providers); By Geography, Segment Revenue Estimation, Forecast, 2024–2030

Introduction And Strategic Context

The Global Marine Derived Proteins Market is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 8.1%, climbing from an estimated USD 6.1 billion in 2024 to approximately USD 9.7 billion by 2030, according to Strategic Market Research.

 

At its core, this market sits at the intersection of sustainability, nutrition science, and industrial innovation. Marine-derived proteins — extracted from fish, shellfish, algae, and marine by-products — are increasingly viewed as both a nutritional goldmine and a viable answer to the global protein supply-demand imbalance. In 2024, their relevance is rising far beyond seafood: they’re making inroads into sports nutrition, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even bioplastics.

 

So what’s driving this momentum?

It starts with demand for clean-label, high-functionality proteins. Food formulators are leaning into hydrolyzed fish protein, krill peptides, and collagen sourced from marine by-products. These ingredients bring not only amino acid richness but also bioactivity — promoting joint health, skin elasticity, and even cognitive performance.

 

From a regulatory standpoint, there's increasing global alignment around upcycling fishery waste — turning what was once discarded into high-margin, value-added proteins. Regions like the Nordics, Canada, and Southeast Asia have streamlined permitting and provided R&D support to marine biotech firms exploring novel protein extraction and fermentation methods.

 

Meanwhile, alternative protein players are shifting attention from land-based options like soy and pea toward marine-origin proteins, especially those with low allergenic potential and strong emulsifying properties. Several early-stage startups in Norway, South Korea, and Chile are prototyping marine peptides for use in dairy alternatives, plant-based meats, and fortified beverages.

 

At the same time, aquafeed and pet nutrition sectors are increasing their reliance on marine protein concentrates — especially as fishmeal prices fluctuate and land protein sources become constrained by environmental factors.

 

Stakeholders in this ecosystem span a wide spectrum:

• OEMs and bioprocessors — developing enzymatic hydrolysis, membrane separation, and cold processing systems for marine biomass

• Food, cosmetics, and pharma brands — co-developing bioactive protein blends for targeted health benefits

• Governments and coastal regulators — funding sustainable marine biotech zones and circular economy pilots

• Institutional investors and VCs — backing marine ingredient platforms with carbon-neutral operations and traceable sourcing

 

Market Segmentation And Forecast Scope

The marine derived proteins market is segmented across four primary dimensions: by source, by application, by end user, and by region. Each segment reveals where innovation is concentrating, and where commercial demand is shifting.

By Source

• Fish Proteins: The most established source, especially from whitefish, tuna, and cod. Fish collagen, gelatin, and hydrolysates dominate this sub-segment. In 2024, fish proteins account for over 45% of the market, driven by their wide application in food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

• Shellfish Proteins: Includes proteins derived from shrimp, crab, and krill. Often used in functional food ingredients and marine-based chitosan production.

• Algal Proteins: Gaining traction due to their vegan appeal and sustainability profile. Algal proteins are rich in essential amino acids and often used in plant-based foods and supplements.

• Others (Sea Cucumbers, Jellyfish, By-product Streams): These represent frontier sources — underutilized but rich in bioactives. R&D efforts are turning these into functional protein ingredients for pharma and cosmeceuticals.

Fish-derived proteins remain dominant, but algal and by-product innovations are set to grow fastest as sustainability becomes a sourcing mandate.

 

By Application

• Food & Beverages: This includes protein fortification in bars, soups, sports drinks, and functional dairy. Taste masking and solubility improvements have expanded use in mainstream products.

• Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements: Marine collagen and peptide powders are gaining market share for anti-aging, joint support, and skin health. This is the fastest-growing application segment, projected to cross 25% share by 2030.

• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Includes marine collagen in anti-aging serums, masks, and creams. Brands market these as “blue biotech” products — an appeal to ocean-sourced purity.

• Pharmaceuticals: Marine peptides and enzymes are being investigated for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Still early-stage but drawing interest from biotech startups.

• Animal Feed & Pet Nutrition: Hydrolyzed marine proteins serve as high-digestibility ingredients in pet food and aquafeed, especially for sensitive or recovering animals.

Use-case expansion into beauty and supplements is what’s moving this market beyond just food-grade commodity status.

 

By End User

• Food & Beverage Manufacturers: These firms seek shelf-stable, high-functionality proteins that blend into diverse formulations — from ready-to-drink to protein-fortified snacks.

• Nutraceutical & Supplement Brands: Focused on marine collagen, omega-protein blends, and joint-health peptides. They demand branded, clinically substantiated ingredients.

• Cosmetics Companies: Particularly in Asia and Europe, these firms use marine peptides as anti-aging actives in luxury formulations.

• Pharmaceutical & Biotech Firms: Early-stage players exploring therapeutic peptides from marine origins. Most are in R&D or preclinical stages.

• Aquafeed and Pet Food Companies: These buyers prioritize digestibility, sustainability, and traceability of marine protein concentrates.

 

By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

While Europe currently leads in marine ingredient R&D and clean-label product launches, Asia Pacific is growing faster — led by South Korea, Japan, and coastal China.

 

Market Trends And Innovation Landscape

The marine derived proteins market is undergoing a fundamental transformation — moving from commodity-grade extracts to highly functional, bioactive ingredients. Innovation in this space isn’t just about cleaner processes or higher yields. It’s about unlocking entirely new use cases across food, wellness, and pharma.

Here’s what’s shaping the innovation curve in 2024 and beyond:

Enzymatic Hydrolysis Goes Mainstream

Enzymatic hydrolysis is no longer a niche method — it’s now a central pillar of marine protein production. Why? It enables:

• Higher bioavailability of peptides

• Better taste profiles (less fishy, more neutral)

• Functional benefits like antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects

One Norwegian biotech has developed custom enzyme blends to yield peptides optimized for joint health — now being tested in functional beverages in the U.S. market.

This shift from mechanical or chemical extraction toward enzymatic precision also helps manufacturers tailor proteins for specific markets — sports nutrition, geriatric supplements, or even infant formula.

 

Sustainability is Becoming Measurable

Sustainable sourcing isn’t just a talking point anymore — it’s becoming a differentiator. Companies now track:

• By-product utilization rates from fish processing

• Carbon footprint per kg of marine peptide

• Ocean traceability via blockchain or digital QR codes

Some brands are even labeling products as "zero-waste marine protein," especially in Europe and parts of Asia.

This has opened the door to cross-sector collaborations — fisheries teaming up with biotech labs and cosmetics companies to close the loop from fish trimmings to face creams.

 

Functional Customization is Redefining Value

What used to be bulk fish protein powder is now morphing into application-specific blends. Examples include:

• Collagen peptides for skin elasticity

• Omega-protein synergies for cognitive support

• Marine amino acid cocktails for muscle recovery

These customized outputs are sold at a premium, allowing smaller marine bioprocessors to move up the value chain.

One South Korean startup now offers “neuroprotective peptide stacks” from krill, aimed at memory supplements for aging populations.

 

Marine Collagen 2.0: From Beauty to Biohacking

Collagen, once a cosmetic trend, is now evolving into a biohacking staple. Marine collagen — especially Type I — is gaining momentum over bovine and porcine sources due to:

• Faster absorption

• Fewer allergy concerns

• Higher solubility in beverages

Brands are reformulating marine collagen into sachets, shots, and even gummies for daily routines. In fact, major beverage companies are exploring marine collagen-infused energy drinks and wellness waters.

 

AI Meets Marine Biotech

Emerging firms are using machine learning to optimize:

• Enzyme selection for hydrolysis

• Functional peptide mapping from marine DNA databases

• Yield prediction from underused biomass (e.g., sea cucumbers, jellyfish)

While still nascent, this could significantly cut R&D costs and speed up market entry for novel marine proteins.

One Canadian firm is feeding marine organism data into an AI model to identify rare peptides with pharmaceutical-grade activity — shortening drug discovery timelines.

 

Key Trend Takeaways

• Functional specificity is replacing volume — buyers want performance, not just protein.

• Marine protein’s story is shifting from “sustainable filler” to biofunctional hero.

• Regulatory interest is growing — particularly around safety, allergenicity, and traceability — which may favor transparent, tech-enabled producers.

 

Competitive Intelligence And Benchmarking

The marine derived proteins market doesn’t operate like traditional commodity sectors. Here, success isn’t just about scale — it’s about specialization, traceability, and how deeply companies integrate across sourcing, processing, and formulation.

A few players dominate the landscape, but several high-impact startups and regional specialists are reshaping the value chain.

Aker BioMarine

Based in Norway, Aker BioMarine is one of the most influential names in marine protein — particularly krill-derived proteins and phospholipids. Their key edge? A vertically integrated model:

• Owns its own krill harvesting fleet

• Operates proprietary processing facilities

• Maintains in-house R&D for krill peptides and concentrates

They’ve successfully positioned krill protein not just as a supplement, but as a clinical-grade ingredient for cognitive and cardiovascular health. Their strategy hinges on scientific backing and patented extraction processes.

 

Gelita

While primarily known for collagen, Gelita has made major moves into marine-sourced collagen peptides. Their product lines focus on bioactivity and solubility, targeting beauty, sports nutrition, and medical nutrition sectors.

They’re also investing in clinical validation — partnering with research institutions to study marine collagen's impact on bone density and wound healing.

Their differentiation lies in formulation flexibility. They supply to both beverage makers in Japan and capsule brands in Europe.

 

Biomega Group

This Norway-based player has built a reputation around enzymatically hydrolyzed salmon peptides. What makes Biomega stand out is their upcycling ethos — converting salmon by-products into clean-label, high-protein ingredients.

Their innovation focus includes:

• Pet and aquafeed ingredients

• Functional food-grade proteins

• Biodegradable packaging made from marine biomass (under early testing)

They’re also exploring AI-led process optimization to boost output from low-grade fish cuts — turning cost centers into margin-positive inputs.

 

Hofseth BioCare

Another Scandinavian firm, Hofseth BioCare focuses on human-grade marine proteins from salmon. Their strategy revolves around minimal processing — retaining full amino acid profiles and bioactives.

They’ve launched several consumer-facing formulations under private labels and work with supplement brands across North America and Europe. The company’s strength is in clinical claims and clean extraction — no solvents, no chemicals.

They're now expanding into immune-support peptides extracted from fish viscera — a bold move into functional medicine territory.

 

CP Kelco

While not a marine protein processor in the traditional sense, CP Kelco is collaborating with marine biotech firms to create marine protein-based emulsifiers and gelling agents. Their foothold is in food structuring applications, giving marine proteins a new commercial path in alternative meats and dairy analogues.

 

Smaller Innovators to Watch

• Bluu Seafood (Germany) – Cultivating cell-based marine proteins for food and nutraceutical applications.

• Sea6 Energy (India) – Working on algal protein extraction platforms with biofertilizer co-products.

• Pacific Harvest (New Zealand) – A niche player focusing on wild seaweed proteins for clean-label vegan products.

These firms don’t compete directly with the fish protein giants — instead, they’re carving new verticals around plant-based, cell-based, or high-functionality marine alternatives.

 

Regional Landscape And Adoption Outlook

The global marine derived proteins market is evolving at different speeds across regions — shaped by coastlines, dietary habits, biotech maturity, and how governments view sustainability. Some countries are commercializing marine proteins as high-margin exports. Others are still at the stage of processing waste into feed.

Here’s how it breaks down:

North America

North America remains a key innovation and consumption hub, especially for functional applications like marine collagen, omega-rich peptides, and nutraceutical ingredients.

The U.S. market, in particular, is leaning into:

• Sports nutrition blends featuring hydrolyzed fish protein

• Marine collagen powders and gummies targeted at Gen Z and Millennial women

• Specialty pet food ingredients derived from upcycled fish trimmings

The region benefits from:

• Strict FDA quality regulations (which raise trust)

• A highly fragmented but growing clean-label consumer base

• Rapid e-commerce penetration for niche marine supplement brands

Canada is also making progress, with coastal provinces like British Columbia and Nova Scotia investing in sustainable marine biotech clusters. Several public-private pilot programs are testing cold-extraction marine peptides for use in healthcare and bio-cosmetics.

That said, sourcing costs and seasonal catch variability are still pain points — especially for smaller U.S. producers without vertical integration.

 

Europe

Europe is arguably the moral and regulatory leader in marine protein. It’s where traceability, sustainability, and bioactivity standards are most mature. Norway, Iceland, and Denmark dominate production, with France and Germany leading in downstream applications.

Key regional drivers:

• EU-backed R&D for circular marine economy

• Consumer preference for clean-label and clinically-backed nutraceuticals

• Early adoption of blockchain and QR-coded traceability on packaging

Iceland-based firms are already exporting marine collagen to Japan and the U.S., marketed under certified “zero-waste” claims.

The cosmetics sector is especially strong in France and Italy, where marine peptides are used in “blue beauty” serums, collagen creams, and anti-pollution facial products.

Eastern Europe is still catching up. Countries like Poland and Croatia have abundant coastline but underdeveloped marine biotech infrastructure. However, they are now receiving EU funds for sustainable fishery and seafood valorization.

 

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing regional market — and also the most diverse. Japan and South Korea lead in marine collagen innovation, functional foods, and cosmeceuticals, while China and Southeast Asia drive bulk protein production and aquafeed demand.

Japan, in particular, blends tradition and biotech.

Marine peptides are used in:

• Anti-aging drinks and wellness shots

• Eye health supplements for aging populations

• Enzyme-rich skin care sourced from deep-sea fish

China has scale. Coastal provinces like Shandong and Guangdong are scaling marine protein output for export, while also developing urban supplement brands focused on beauty-from-within.

Meanwhile, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand are beginning to tap into fish and shrimp waste streams to produce hydrolysates for both food and animal feed — helped by regional NGOs and FAO-backed projects.

India’s interest is rising too, particularly in:

• Marine protein concentrates for shrimp farming

• Algae protein for vegan supplements and meat analogues

In short: Asia Pacific is where innovation and industrialization are both happening — just at different ends of the spectrum.

 

Latin America

Latin America, especially Chile and Peru, is rich in marine biomass. Both countries are major fishmeal exporters — but slowly pivoting toward human-grade marine protein production.

Chile is testing salmon trimmings for peptide production, while Peruvian startups are exploring sardine-derived protein powders for global sports nutrition markets.

Challenges remain:

• Low domestic demand for value-added marine proteins

• Limited cold-chain and processing tech for functional-grade extraction

However, trade routes to Asia and the U.S. are creating export-driven momentum.

 

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

MEA is an emerging frontier. Coastal nations like Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa have growing fisheries but limited marine protein conversion capacity.

What’s changing:

• UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in functional food R&D, some of which involves marine peptides for wellness supplements.

• NGOs are launching fishery waste valorization pilots in West Africa, particularly targeting aquafeed protein concentrates.

Africa’s opportunity lies in infrastructure-light production — using solar-powered dryers and mobile hydrolysis units to process fish by-catch into digestible, protein-rich ingredients.

 

End-User Dynamics And Use Case

In the marine derived proteins market, the definition of an end user is evolving. It's no longer limited to food and beverage companies. Today, we’re looking at a blend of supplement brands, wellness startups, beauty formulators, feed producers, and even pharma developers — each using marine proteins differently based on their value chain and consumer promise.

Let’s unpack who’s using what — and why it matters.

1. Food & Beverage Manufacturers

This group is driving mainstream exposure for marine proteins, especially through:

• Functional drinks (marine collagen, omega-enriched waters)

• Protein-enhanced snacks (bars, soups, broths)

• Clean-label reformulations (using fish protein instead of soy or dairy)

Their priorities:

• Neutral flavor profiles

• Heat and pH stability

• Quick dissolvability in liquids

Several mid-tier U.S. beverage brands are now sourcing wild-caught marine collagen to position their products as “blue label certified” — tying sustainability into product messaging.

What they’re pushing back on: supply consistency, flavor masking, and price sensitivity in comparison to plant-based proteins.

 

2. Nutraceutical & Supplement Brands

These players are responsible for some of the highest-margin use cases. Marine proteins — especially peptides and hydrolysates — are used for:

• Joint support supplements

• Skin and hair health powders

• Cognitive wellness and mood balance capsules

Unlike food manufacturers, they demand:

• Proven bioavailability

• Clinical claims or published studies

• Minimal processing for purity assurance

The segment is becoming increasingly science-driven. Brands often co-develop peptides with marine processors, giving rise to proprietary blends with trademarked names and IP protection.

 

3. Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies

Marine collagen and peptides are gaining serious ground in topical applications. These firms integrate proteins into:

• Anti-aging serums and creams

• Face masks and eye gels

• Moisturizers for sensitive or post-procedure skin

Their priorities center on molecular weight, skin absorption rate, and bioactive density.

Europe and South Korea lead the charge here, with multiple brands now marketing “oceanic peptide complexes” — even bundling skin care with ingestible collagen for 360-degree skin nutrition.

 

4. Animal Feed and Pet Nutrition Providers

These users are less concerned with cosmetic appeal and more with:

• Digestibility

• Palatability

• Consistent protein yield from marine biomass

They use marine hydrolysates in:

• Premium pet food for senior animals

• Functional feed for recovering livestock

• Aquafeed formulations for shrimp and salmon farms

Some pet nutrition startups now claim “human-grade fish protein” in marketing, trying to win over the wellness-oriented pet owner segment.

 

5. Pharmaceutical and Biotech Firms

Still early-stage, this group is exploring marine peptides for:

• Anti-inflammatory applications

• Gut and metabolic health

• Drug delivery carriers

Most companies here are conducting preclinical research — particularly in Europe and Japan — looking at marine proteins for wound healing or even mood-regulating neuropeptides.

Their demand is highly technical:

• Low endotoxin levels

• Specific peptide chains

• Stability under formulation stress

This segment won’t drive volume soon, but it may define the next generation of marine protein value.

 

Use Case Highlight: Nutraceutical Brand – South Korea

A South Korean nutraceutical company noticed rising demand among women aged 35–55 for clean-label, ingestible beauty products. Their R&D team partnered with a Norwegian marine processor to co-develop a high-solubility marine collagen peptide blend with enhanced glycine and proline content.

They formulated it into:

• Sachets with citrus flavor masking

• Capsules with hyaluronic acid

• Collagen shot drinks with Vitamin C and zinc

What changed?

• Repeat purchases grew 3X in 6 months

• Customer reviews cited “visible skin improvements” in 4–6 weeks

• The brand expanded into Singapore and Vietnam within a year

This wasn't just a product launch — it was a blueprint for cross-border, science-backed ingredient branding.

 

Bottom Line

End-user dynamics are shifting rapidly. Here's the pattern:

• Food brands want functionality at scale.

• Supplement players want science and purity.

• Beauty brands want skin-deep and skin-safe proteins.

• Feed manufacturers want cost-effective nutrition.

• Biotech firms want molecular precision.

To be honest, the marine protein story is no longer just about volume. It’s about versatility. And the platforms that can flex across these user types — with traceable, tailored outputs — will own the next chapter.

 

Recent Developments + Opportunities & Restraints

The marine derived proteins market has been steadily gaining traction over the past two years — not through one single breakthrough, but through a steady stream of product launches, cross-industry collaborations, and tech upgrades. At the same time, the market is facing a few constraints that are slowing down scale, especially in emerging regions.

Let’s look at what’s shaping momentum right now — and what might hold it back.

Recent Developments (2023–2025)

• Aker BioMarine launched ‘ Invi ’ krill protein isolate (2024): Positioned as a high-quality, neutral-taste protein source for functional foods and beverages, Invi is derived from krill and processed with a patented enzymatic hydrolysis method. It’s aimed at wellness brands and clean-label F&B formulations.

• Biomega Group partnered with an EU-funded consortium to expand circular marine protein processing (2023): Biomega joined a sustainability pilot in Denmark and Norway to demonstrate zero-waste fish biomass processing — turning salmon waste into protein hydrolysates, omega oils, and biofertilizer. The project is being tracked as a model for “next-gen marine valorization.”

• Hofseth BioCare received patent approval for immune-modulating fish peptides (2024): The company’s novel peptide formulation — extracted from salmon heads and viscera — received international IP recognition and is currently under study for gut inflammation and immune disorders.

• South Korea’s CJ CheilJedang entered the marine collagen segment (2023): Traditionally known for fermented foods and amino acids, CJ launched a marine collagen line targeting beauty supplements in Southeast Asia, citing demand from younger consumers and the “K-beauty meets ingestibles ” trend.

• Bluu Seafood raised Series A funding for cultivated marine proteins (2025): This German startup, focused on cell-based fish and marine protein ingredients, secured $16 million to accelerate pilot-scale production and expand R&D toward hybrid seafood analogues using marine peptides.

 

Opportunities

• Premiumization Through Functional Health Claims: There’s growing consumer willingness to pay more for clinically-backed marine peptides — especially in areas like skin aging, joint health, and gut wellness. Supplement and beverage brands are now co-branding with marine protein suppliers to enhance trust.

• Algae and Microalgae Proteins as Plant-Compatible Marine Inputs: With rising interest in hybrid formulations (marine + plant), algal proteins are getting attention for their amino acid profile, digestibility, and vegan-appeal — especially in regions like India, Germany, and the West Coast U.S.

• Circular Economy Partnerships with Coastal Communities: Emerging economies with strong fisheries but limited processing infrastructure (e.g., Morocco, Philippines, Ghana) offer long-term upside if public-private pilots can scale. NGOs and regional governments are starting to view marine waste as an economic input, not just an environmental challenge.

 

Restraints

• High Processing Costs for Bioactive-Grade Proteins: Unlike commodity fishmeal, high-purity marine peptides require controlled hydrolysis, filtration, and stabilization — all of which add cost. For many startups, margins remain thin unless they go premium or vertically integrate.

• Regulatory Patchwork Across Applications: From food to supplements to cosmetics, marine proteins fall under different regulatory umbrellas. In some countries, collagen is treated as a food additive, in others, as a cosmetic input — creating compliance friction for global expansion.

 

7.1. Report Coverage Table

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2024	USD 6.1 Billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 9.7 Billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 8.1% (2024 – 2030)
Base Year for Estimation	2024
Historical Data	2019 – 2023
Unit	USD Million, CAGR (2024 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Source, By Application, By End User, By Geography
By Source	Fish Proteins, Shellfish Proteins, Algal Proteins, Others
By Application	Food & Beverages, Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Animal Feed & Pet Nutrition
By End User	Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Nutraceutical & Supplement Brands, Cosmetics Companies, Pharma & Biotech Firms, Feed & Pet Nutrition Providers
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	U.S., Canada, Germany, France, UK, Norway, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Chile, UAE, South Africa
Market Drivers	- Rising demand for functional and clean-label proteins - Rapid innovation in enzymatic hydrolysis and bioactive peptides - Strong push for marine waste valorization and circular economy models
Customization Option	Available upon request