The First Vegan Salmon Fillet Will Be Available Soon

For years, vegan seafood has remained on the fringes of the plant-based industry, but now, recipe developers and food tech companies are placing their bets on plant-based alternatives. The Israeli food-tech company Plantish just unveiled its first vegan whole-cut salmon fillets, the first plant-based seafood alternative of its kind. Launching just six months ago, Plantish dedicated its production capacities to creating a substitute to the second most eaten fish in the world to cut down unnecessary fishing and excessive environmental toll.

“We exist to save the oceans and eliminate the need to consume marine animals by providing more sustainable, more nutritious, and more delicious fish options,” Co-founder and CEO of Plantish Ofek Ron said. “Our vision is to be the world’s leading seafood brand, all without hurting a single fish.”

Following a $2 million dollar investment from TechAviv Founder Partners, the food tech company rapidly situated itself at the forefront of the plant-based market. Alongside the venture capital firm, 33 unicorn founders and several angel investors participated in the funding package, including Michelin chef Jose Andres and the vlogger Nuseir Yassin.

Plantish announced that the investment and support allowed for it to create the plant-based salmon with expediency, not only replicating the taste but also perfecting the texture and structure of the salmon. The company aims to protect the oceans while also providing consumers with a healthy seafood alternative. Plantish’s whole cut salmon contains legume proteins and algae extracts to boost its nutritional content.

The vegan salmon fillets will consist of the same nutritional value as conventional salmon, complete with a high protein count and filled with omega-3’s, omega-6’s, and B vitamins. Plantish distinguishes its product by ensuring it is free from mercury, antibiotics, toxins, and microplastics that are commonplace in conventional seafood.

Beyond the nutritional content, the biggest obstacle for plant-based seafood has been replicating the structure. Plantish employed a team of entrepreneurs, chemists, and bioengineers to create its proprietary technology that successfully imitated convention salmon structure. While the technology is awaiting a patent, the additive manufacturing technology is what discerns Plantish from its competitors.

While current valuations of the global seafood market reach up to $586 billion, Plantish joins ranks of fellow vegan innovators in the campaign against the fishing industry. The global plant-based seafood industry is expected to rise at exponential rates over the next decade, predicted to reach $1.3 billion by 2031. Plantish believes that the first step to tackling the rising environmental concerns arising from the fish farming industry is to present consumers with an enticing vegan alternative.

“We are driven by the Plantish way,” the start-up explains on its website, “all of us share the same vision and passion and know that only if we work together, we will change the world.”

Plantish expects to guide the plant-based seafood industry into the future by replicating whole-cut seafood options. The net-zero emissions company is setting the standard for plant-based seafood and the entire fish market, drawing attention to the dangers of global fish farming. Awaiting its commercial debut, Plantish will host pop-up locations later this year and plans to officially launch its vegan whole-cut salmon by 2024.

Plant-Based Salmon Takes the Stage

Plantish is not the only vegan brand undercutting the salmon industry. Plant-based seafood brand Good Catch just launched its first-to-market Plant-Based Salmon Burgers. Founders Derek and Chad Sarno launched the vegan brand to help protect the oceans, drawing attention to the downsides of the global salmon industry. By creating plant-based salmon using a six-plant protein blend (chickpeas, fava beans, lentils, navy beans, soy, and peas), Good Catch’s plant-based burger ranks among one of the top plant-based seafood products to be commercially released with 16g of protein.

“Culinary innovation is at the forefront of everything we create at Good Catch and this new salmon will be an absolute game-changer in the market that boasts incredible flavor and texture,” Co-Founder and Chief Culinary Officer at Good Catch’s parent company Gathered Foods Chad Sarno said in a statement. “We are excited to see consumer response to our Plant-Based Salmon Burgers, which provides a convenient meal solution without the harm.”

As a pioneer in the plant-based seafood sector, Good Catch is paving the way for vegan brands worldwide. Currently, the company offers a wide selection of vegan seafood including Plant-Based Fish Fillets, Fish Sticks, Crab Cakes, and its signature shelf-stable Plant-Based Tuna. The vegan salmon burgers will be available at retailers across the United States and through the company’s website.