Session 1: Reimagining Waste: The Role of Mealworms in the Future of Food
🕒 Date & Time: 4 October 2025, 10am-11am
💻 Mode: Virtual
Have you ever seen a mealworm and never given it much thought – especially since it’s often dismissed as “disgusting?
What if we told you that this tiny insect might hold the key to solving two of the world’s biggest environmental challenges?
Every year, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in our oceans1. Studies find that microplastic contamination is present in up to 99% of seafood samples, underscoring a growing environmental and food safety concern2. At the same time, fish farms continue to rely on wild-caught fish for feed – contributing to overfishing and the decline of marine ecosystems.
But what if there is a solution that solves both problems?
At JCU, our researchers are exploring this very possibility by studying how mealworms can digest plastic waste and potentially convert it into a sustainable source of protein for farmed fish.
We invite you to dive deeper into this research with Associate Professor James Loh in an eye-opening session on the future of sustainable aquaculture.
In this session, you’ll also discover:
- The science behind how mealworms break down plastic waste into organic compounds
- What early studies show about the nutritional value and safety of plastic-fed insects as fish feed
- How this innovation could reduce reliance on wild fishmeal and lead us one step closer to a Circular Economy.
- Join us as we uncover a revolutionary idea that could possibly rescue our oceans and secure our food future!
1 According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), From Pollution to Solution (2023).
https://www.unep.org/interactives/pollution-to-solution
2 According to a study reported by The Guardian (2025). https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/03/seafood-microplastic-contamination-study
Speaker Profile
 | Dr James Loh Associate Professor/Principal Research Fellow, Aquaculture Associate Professor Jiun-Yan Loh (known as James) has dedicated over 15 years to the field of fish nutrition. Before his academic pursuits, James gained invaluable experience in the aquaculture feed industry and worked hands-on in various fish and shrimp farms. He holds a PhD from Monash University, Australia, specialising in fish nutrition, pre-and probiotics. |