October 15, 2022

Stolt Sea Farm joins project to reduce waste and optimise use of fishing by-products

Stolt Sea Farm joins Life Refish, a partnership project aimed at reducing waste and optimising the use of fishing activity by-products, Fish Information & Services reported.

The partnetship is led by the Galician business Jealsa, which produces canned seafood, and includes Stolt Sea Farm in addition to other market leaders Grupo Nueva Pescanova, Opromar, and Valora Marine Ingredients.

Together, the businesses intend to build a biorefinery to process both fish that have been captured but are too tiny to be sold in Europe and seafood processing waste from aquaculture and fisheries. The fish and byproducts will be used in goods that are safe for the environment and can be sold in compliance with all laws.

The project involves Stolt Sea Farm providing the biorefinery with fish processing waste products like skin and bones. Additionally, it will investigate the possible use of these byproducts, such as in the creation of fish hydrolysate, a versatile liquid frequently used as fertiliser, and collagen fish oil.

As undersized fish are subtracted from fishermen's quotas, Life Refish ultimately seeks to assist both the sustainability of the seafood sector as a whole and fishing communities.

Ana Mara Riaza, the company's research and development manager, said Stolt Sea Farm is devoted to lowering their environmental effect, fostering the circular economy, and maximising the usage of their sustainably farmed fish.

Riaza said they are happy to be a part of the Life Refish project since it not only supports the industry's efforts to operate more sustainably but also aligns with their environmental goals.

-      Fish Information & Services