Scotland is setting its sights on transforming fish waste into high-value products, taking inspiration from a successful Icelandic model. If funded, the initiative could triple the worth of seafood industry byproducts, turning discarded fish parts into nutritional supplements and other biotech-based goods.
Aiming for a Zero-Waste Seafood Industry
Scotland’s seafood sector has long been a powerhouse, but a significant portion of its fish processing waste goes unused. Trade and marketing body Seafood Scotland wants to change that. The organization is rallying seafood producers, investors, retailers, biotech firms, and the government to back a national “ocean cluster” aimed at maximizing value from fish byproducts.
According to Donna Fordyce, CEO of Seafood Scotland, aligning biotech expertise with seafood industry innovators could unlock enormous potential. “Just as the Iceland Ocean Cluster has demonstrated, we have the opportunity to extract even more value from Scotland’s fish and shellfish. The potential here is to triple the current market value of our seafood side streams,” she said in a statement.
The Numbers Behind the Waste
Recent research by Zero Waste Scotland estimates that 166,000 metric tons of seafood waste are generated annually in Scotland, with a market value of approximately £21.6 million (€25.7 million/$27.9 million). If the proposed ocean cluster succeeds, that value could rise to nearly £65 million (€77.1 million/$84 million) in just three years.
To put this into perspective, a breakdown of the current and projected market values is shown below:
| Fish Waste Output (Metric Tons) | Current Market Value (£m) | Projected Market Value (£m) |
|---|---|---|
| 166,000 | 21.6 | 65.0 |
Fordyce described the initiative as a potential turning point for the industry, stating that it could significantly boost Scotland’s seafood sector while contributing to environmental sustainability.
Learning from Iceland’s Model
The idea of an ocean cluster is not new. Iceland implemented a similar strategy in 2012, linking entrepreneurs, businesses, and researchers to create value from marine byproducts. The Iceland Ocean Cluster has been highly successful, showcasing how a zero-waste approach can lead to both economic and environmental gains.
Kim Cameron, senior business engagement manager at the Scottish Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), emphasized the importance of this model. “The Iceland Ocean Cluster has proven how maximizing every part of the seafood supply chain leads to real economic benefits. Scotland has the potential to replicate that success,” Cameron said.
Key Partnerships and Next Steps
Seafood Scotland has already secured key partners to push the initiative forward, including IBioIC, Zero Waste Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council, and the regional development project Opportunity North East. However, funding remains a critical hurdle.
- The cluster’s first priority, if funded, will be to develop biotech applications for fish waste, such as nutritional supplements.
- Stakeholders are being encouraged to invest in the initiative to accelerate product development.
- If successful, the initiative could reshape how Scotland’s seafood industry operates, ensuring that no part of a fish goes to waste.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Scotland’s seafood sector can secure the financial backing needed to bring this ambitious project to life. If the investment comes through, the country could be on the verge of an industry-wide transformation.
