Fish intended for direct human consumption is sometimes processed to make the eating experience easier and faster for consumers. This processing results in by-products such as heads, viscera, skeletons, and other materials like tails, fins, minced meat, blood, etc. All this raw material can represent between 30% and 70% of the weight of the fish, depending on the species, and is considered a valuable raw material from which fish meal and fish oil can be produced. Currently, 41% of the raw material used for the production of marine ingredients comes from by-products of fish processed for human consumption.

FIGURE 1: GLOBAL RAW MATERIAL USED  FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MARINE INGREDIENTS

By-products can come from fish caught in the wild or from aquaculture processing itself.
Regarding the processing of these by-products into valuable marine ingredients, some fishing boats are even equipped to preserve or process the by-products into fish meal and fish oil while on board. Alternatively, onshore facilities have developed quick cold collection methods to ensure freshness.

SUPPLY

The fact that by-products from fish processing are increasingly being used as raw materials to produce marine ingredients for balanced feed is great news. Indeed, the use of by-products helps to reduce waste while simultaneously contributing to the production of high-value products that promote human and animal health.
 
Moreover, since the year 2000, the use of by-products for reduction (fish meal and fish oil) has increased, as can be seen in Figure 1.

When analyzing fish meal and fish oil separately, it is observed that global fish meal production from by-products represented 38% in 2023 (Figure 2), while fish oil production from by-products represented for 45% of total fish oil production in 2023 (Figure 3)

In addition, global fish production is expected to continue growing, primarily due to the increase in aquaculture fish production. It goes without saying that increased aquaculture production will also ensure a growing potential supply of raw material for the production of marine ingredients.

Therefore, it is essential to promote the development and optimization of the collection and processing of this valuable source of raw materials to the fullest.