Wednesday, 26 August 2026 12:45 PM
Company Update
A new approach connects environmental restoration in U.S. water bodies with improved nutrition for women and children in developing countries.
COLUMBIA, MO / ACCESS Newswire / August 26, 2026 / More than 800 million people worldwide face hunger, possibly reaching 8% of the global population by 2030. Countless others suffer from "hidden hunger"-serious vitamin and nutrient deficiencies from carbohydrate-rich diets. Poor nutrition during early childhood can have lifelong repercussions such as stunting and wasting, or low height and weight for age. Meanwhile, the United States has an overabundant and underutilized supply of invasive carp that are plaguing our waterways. The environmental and economic consequences are staggering.
A new U.S.-based nonprofit, Wish Upon a Fish (WUAF), is working to address both situations with one innovative approach; converting invasive carp into shelf-stable fish protein powder that can be used to fortify local foods for women and children in developing countries.
"Two seemingly unrelated problems can actually complement each other," said Mark Morgan, President & Founder, WUAF. "By transforming an invasive species into a valuable food supplement, we can support aquatic restoration while improving access to essential nutrients for vulnerable populations worldwide."
Silver and bighead carp were imported from China in the early 1970s to help control algae, but flooding allowed them to escape captivity. Over five decades these two species have expanded throughout the Mississippi River basin states, creating significant challenges for people and aquatic ecology, including native fish.
Government agencies have spent millions of taxpayer dollars trying to prevent invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan. If successful, these fish will likely disrupt a valuable fishing industry in the Great Lakes. Yet current management efforts tend to focus on removal and disposal of carp - often in landfills. Other products include fertilizer, fish bait, oils, and pet food.
WUAF sees a chance to turn an ecological crisis into a humanitarian benefit.
Although Seafood Watch recognizes silver carp as a healthy and nutritious fish for human consumption, this potential remains largely untapped in the U.S. due to limited demand for the fish. Yet, shipping frozen carp to food-insecure countries around the world is expensive and impractical. Processing the fish into powder offers a better solution -- one that's lightweight, shelf-stable, and suitable for global transport to areas that lack electricity.
Fish powder contains high protein, along with other important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals such as iron and calcium. It also has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with all nine essential amino acids. When combined into local foods, the powder can improve nutritional quality without jeopardizing cultural acceptance in developing countries, thus ensuring long-term use.
One promising application includes fortification of porridges eaten by countless schoolchildren every day. Working with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology in Nairobi, Kenya, WUAF mixed a powder made from silver carp and soybeans into snack foods, including puffs, cookies and instant noodles without a strong fishy aftertaste.
WUAF's long-term vision supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger-to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
About Wish Upon a Fish
Wish Upon a Fish is a U.S.-based nonprofit focused on innovative approaches to nutrition and food security. Using fish protein powder, WUAF seeks to fortify local foods for women and children in developing countries.
Media Contact:
Dr. Mark Morgan
President & Founder
Wish Upon a Fish
(573) 825-2705
[email protected]
https://wishuponafish.org/
SOURCE: Wish Upon a Fish