In Malta, work is underway to preserve underutilised fish biomass for use in new, innovative ways

As a key source of high-quality protein and other nutrients, seafood is an essential part of the human diet, and with the global population continuing to rise, demand is likely to increase by up to 60% by 2050. However, the supply is being hit by numerous challenges such as overfishing, by-catch of protected species, global warming and changing consumer preferences, while another challenge lies in sustainable protein production and being able to feed people without polluting marine resources.

In Malta, consultancy firm AquaBioTech Group has joined forces with industrial partners and research institutes in Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Greenland for a three-year project called PROFIUS. It’s being funded by Blue Bio ERA NET and coordinated by Dr Ann-Dorit Moltke Sørensen at the Technical University of Denmark. The project aims to address challenges that prevent the reutilisation of lumpfish (roe and carcass) and tuna side-streams and to find new ways to use these by-products.