Steelhead Food Company, a Canadian fish processor and retailer, has become the latest company to commit to using 100% of each fish it raises as part of the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge.
This initiative, launched by the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP), aims to reduce waste and increase the value derived from fish byproducts in the Great Lakes region.
Steelhead Food Company, based in St. Thomas and Port Stanley, plans to fully integrate the pledge by the end of 2025.
“Steelhead Food Company is a great example of an innovative company that wants to find unique ways to use all parts of the fish, so we are pleased to have it join our effort,” said David Naftzger, Executive Director of GSGP.
The 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge, which now includes 36 signatories representing nearly 90% of all commercial fish production in the region, encourages companies to find innovative uses for the parts of fish that are typically discarded or underused.
These can include products like compost, fertiliser, protein, marine collagen and leather. The goal is to reduce waste and create higher-value products, benefitting both the environment and the economy.
The initiative has drawn inspiration from Iceland’s successful model, where the value of cod byproducts has dramatically increased.
Steelhead Food Company, founded in 2015 by Matt and Meg McTaggart, specialises in a complete line of fresh, smoked, live and frozen fish, and works to source fish as locally as possible.
“While we already focus on producing quality fish filets and using biproducts, we recognise the opportunity to reduce waste further and enhance our efforts,” Meg McTaggart, Chief Executive and Co-owner of Steelhead Food Company.
