Renewable resources from the oceans: Adding value to the by-products of the aquaculture and fishing industries

This paper presents an overview of this field of research, outlines some of the opportunities available to add value to fishery by-product streams alongside some of our most recent studies and data in this area. In Atlantic Canada around 418 000 tonnes per year waste is produced at fish processing plants. This waste could be used to give a range of products as it is made up of diverse substances including scrap meat, bones, shells and process water. Possible products include fish oils, gelatin, biopolymers and minerals. These could be used in a range of industries from food, medicine and biotechnology to mining, chemical, oil and gas sectors. Chitin is a biopolymer that makes up to 30% of the waste in crustacean (shrimp, lobster and crab) shells. We have been looking at new uses for it beyond its application as a biomedical material. Our results in this area will be described. Finfish processing plants produce a varied waste stream but an oil-rich product can be isolated and used as a heating oil. Blue mussel shells are a by-product of mussel farming/processing in Newfoundland and could facilitate the development of new material outputs. These shells are rich in calcium carbonate and have the potential to be transformed into adsorbents and catalyst supports.