In this presentation, Wesley Malcorps talks about his work on European aquaculture processing by-products, the circular economy, traceability and transparency, as part of the EU H2020 Green Aquaculture Intensification (GAIN) in Europe project: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/773330

Sustainability analyses of aquaculture typically ignore the fate and value of processing by-products. Our research indicates (nutritional) potential to increase the direct food, feed and industrial value of European aquaculture, without an increase in production volumes or the use of additional resources. However, if we want to utilise these by-products more efficient and safely, traceability is a must. Strategic utilisation requires traceability and transparency along the supply chain to identify inefficient use of by-products, verify origin, quality and treatments used. This is crucial to verify the by-product status in relation to (EU) laws on category contamination and hygiene risks. Therefore, we explore the role of distributed ledger technology (DLT e.g., blockchain), which could inform stakeholders on a shared network throughout value chains. Such a decentralised (public) record system allows for secure and transparent transactions, in which information is nearly impossible to change or hack. The decentralised and immutable nature of a blockchain enables trust between stakeholders that facilitates increase supply chain efficiency and transparency, supporting circular economy principles and meeting consumer demands for sustainable products.

Relevant literature in relation to aquaculture processing by-products:

In preparation (update when published): Malcorps, W., Newton, R.W., XXXXXXX and Little, D.C. (2023). European By-product Volumes.

Malcorps, W., Newton, R.W., Sprague, M., Glencross, B.D., and Little, D.C. (2021). Nutritional Characterisation of European Aquaculture Processing By-Products to Facilitate Strategic Utilisation. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.720595

HotFish PODCAST 7: The Potential for Fish By-Products: https://youtu.be/ir-byltueIQ

Newton, R., Telfer, T., and Little, D. (2014). Perspectives on the utilization of aquaculture coproduct in Europe and Asia: prospects for value addition and improved resource efficiency. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 54(4), 495-510. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.588349


Relevant literature in relation to (blockchain) traceability:

FAO (2020). Blockchain application in seafood value chains. https://www.fao.org/3/ca8751en/CA8751EN.pdf

Horsu, B., Malcorps, W., and Heijden, P.v.d. (2019). "The potential value of blockchain technology in the seafood supply chain.", in: International Aquafeed Magazine. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335890428_The_Potential_Value_of_Blockchain_Technology_in_the_Seafood_Supply_Chain_International_Aquafeed_Magazine

Newton, R., Zhang, W., Leaver, M., Murray, F., and Little, D.C. (2019). Assessment and communication of the toxicological risk of consuming shrimp in the EU. Aquaculture 500, 148-159. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.10.006


Relevant literature in relation to the importance of utilizing fish by-products in aquafeed:

Kok, B., Malcorps, W., Tlusty, M.F., Eltholth, M.M., Auchterlonie, N.A., Little, D.C., et al. (2020). Fish as feed: Using economic allocation to quantify the Fish in : Fish out ratio of major fed aquaculture species. Aquaculture 528, 735474. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735474

Malcorps, W., Kok, B., Land, M.v.t., Fritz, M., Doren, D.v., Servin, K., et al. (2019). The Sustainability Conundrum of Fishmeal Substitution by Plant Ingredients in Shrimp Feeds. Sustainability 11(4), 1212. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041212

LinkedIn: Wesley Malcorps: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-malcorps/
Dr. Richard Newton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-newton-75490629/
Prof. Dave Little: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-little-684a964b/
Timothy Wiese: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-wiese-8289b911b/
Björn Kok: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjrn-kok/

#aquaculture #circulareconomy #blockchain #DLT #traceability #transparency #seafood #fishfarming #fish #byproducts #zerowaste #fishprocessing #fourthindustrialrevolution