Invasive fish and marine animals are wreaking havoc on local waterways, economies, and even taking a toll on recreational fishing and boating, but a new wave of innovators is flipping the script. In this episode of Barking Mad, Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler dive into the wild world of invasive species—and how they might just be the next novel proteins in pet nutrition. From Asian carp in the Midwest to green crabs in New England and lionfish in the Gulf, meet the entrepreneurs and innovators turning ecological chaos into sustainable, nutrient-rich pet food. It’s part science, part strategy, and all about reimagining where we get our protein to feed the growing population of pets and people alike.

Helpful Links

🐟 Learn more about the rebrand from Asian carp to Silver copi: https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/august-2022/if-you-cant-beat-em-eat-em-illinois-rebrands-invasive-asian-carp#

📖 Read about the invasive species opportunity (and the challenges) from Dr. Stephanie Clark: https://bsmpartners.net/insights/untapped-potential-navigating-the-murky-waters-of-invasive-species-in-pet-food/

Get the scoop on the brands and companies featured in today's episode!👇

• Learn more about Archway Pet (gabe@archwaypet.com) and contact Gabe at: founders@archwaypet.com.
• Learn more about Pezzy Pets: https://pezzypets.com/
• Learn more about Polka Dog: https://www.polkadog.com/
• Learn more about Colgan Carp: www.colgancarp.com
• Learn more about Channel Fish Co.: https://channelfish.com/

🧪 Read more about fish fraud from this University of Singapore study: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.836941/full

🌱 Tune in to our previous sustainability episodes

• 🪰 Bug Appétit: From Ick to Innovation on Insect-Based Pet Food: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/bug-appetit-from-ick-to-innovation-on-insect-based-pet-food
• ♻️ Is Recyclable Pet Food Packaging A Lie? Unraveling The Pet Industry’s Plastic Waste Problem: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/is-recyclable-pet-food-packaging-a-lie-unraveling-the-pet-industrys-plastic-waste-problem
• 🍎 One Man’s Trash Is Another Dog’s Treasure: The Story of Upcycled Pet Food: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/one-mans-trash-is-another-dogs-treasure-the-story-of-upcycled-pet-food
• 🚜 The Beautiful Story of Regenerative Agriculture: Does the Future of Pet Food Start with Soil?: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/the-beautiful-story-of-regenerative-agriculture-does-the-future-of-pet-food-start-with-soil
• 🐱 Looking for Love: Swiping Right on Sustainable Cat Litter: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/looking-for-love-swiping-right-on-sustainable-cat-litter

Show Notes

00:00 – Inside the Episode

01:24 – What Are Invasive Species?

05:00 – Introducing Brands Working with Invasives

14:49 – Asian Carp: A Copious Catastrophe

18:49 – The Devil Fish: Armored Catfish Causing Trouble

20:23 – Lionfish: A Beautiful Nuisance

22:12 – Green Crab: The Kelp Killers

23:59 – Putting Invasive Fish to Better Use: The Nutritional Merits

30:40 – Caution: More Research Needed!

32:42 – Swimming Upstream: Barriers for Turning Invasives into Food

37:37 – The Catch 22 of Sustainable Fishing Certifications

41:26 – Change is Hard: How to Get Pet Owners On Board

46:24 – The Future of Invasive Species in Pet Nutrition

52:31 – Today’s Key Takeaways