By-products could add more value

THE Scottish salmon farming industry could make better use of by-products, adding 5.5 per cent value to the sector, researchers have found.

Though generally well utilised, total by-product value output could be improved by 803 per cent (£23.7 million), based on 2015 figures, according to a recent study.

Led by Julien Stevens, re- searchers from the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture and University of Massachusetts, Boston, have published research funded by IFFO, the Marine Ingredients Organisation.

The research investigated how value could be added to aquaculture through better utilisation of by-products, by maximising edible yields and better separation at the processing stage, looking at the Scottish salmon farming industry as a case study.

By exploiting all high value by-product types (heads, frames, trimmings and belly flaps) for existing domestic and export food markets, the authors demonstrated the potential to add 5.5 per cent value to the salmon industry.

Directing 77 per cent of the annual whole fish production towards human consumption results in 132,171 tonnes of food.

The remaining by-products can then be utilised in the production of fishmeal and fish oil, and subsequently used in aquafeed for farm raised marine species.