Transforming Fish Waste into Treasure: Sustainable Solutions for the Future!

In 2022, the global production of aquatic animals reached a new world high of 185 million tonnes. This rise in global fish production, however, brings significant sustainability challenges due to the increase in waste generated during fish harvesting and processing. With marine food consumption projected to rise by 15% by 2030, it is imperative to address these challenges to ensure sustainable growth [1].

Recent years have seen substantial changes in the usage and processing of aquatic products. In contrast to the 1960s, when only 67% of global production was utilized for human consumption, 89% was directly consumed in 2022. The remaining 11% was used for non-food purposes, such as fishmeal, fish oil, bait, pharmaceuticals, pet food among other uses [1].

Despite these advancements, a significant portion of fish is wasted during processing, including discards such as heads, bones, guts, fins, and skin, along with large amounts of wastewater. Additionally, low-value underutilized fish caught as by-catch are often discarded. These wastes are rich in nutrients like proteins, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), carotenoids, and minerals, resulting in the loss of valuable bioactive materials. These waste products also contain high levels of nitrogen (6%), phosphorus (5%), and potassium (4%), which can support the growth of plants, animals, and microorganisms or be used to create market-relevant value-added products [2].

The valorization of fish waste is emerging as a crucial field within waste management, addressing environmental concerns and mitigating economic losses. In this context, the VALORISH project aims to transform fish industry waste and by-products into valuable resources through a circular biorefinery with a cascade approach. Advanced computational tools will be used to design, model, optimize, and scale up key biorefinery processes. The goal is to produce high-value bioproducts with applications in food products, nutraceuticals, food additives, and supplements. A circular economy is central to this strategy, embodying the principles of sustainability by reducing waste and pollution, maintaining goods and resources, and regenerating natural systems promoting the long-term sustainability of the fish industry as a whole.

References:

1. FAO. 2024. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 – Blue Transformation in action. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0683en
2. Sahana M.D, Amjad K., Balange, Layana P., Bejawada Chanikya Naidu. 2023. Harnessing value and sustainability: Fish waste valorization and the production of valuable byproducts. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 107: 175-192.