Fishmeal is made by either cooking, pressing, drying and grinding of fish or fish waste to which no other matter has been added. It is a solid product from which most of the water is removed and some or all of the oil is removed. Though formerly important as a fertilizer, fish meal is now primarily used in animal feedâ??especially for poultry, swine, mink, farm-raised fish, and pets.

Fish meal is used in animal feeds because it is high in protein concentration, and it is also a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals. Fish meal is particularly popular in aquaculture feeds because of its high protein content and excellent amino acid balance for aquatic animals.