Utilization of fish and shrimp scraps to boost Bangladesh export market

Domestic fish production in Bangladesh has been steadily growing during recent years, however the country has yet to start reaping the benefits from economically utilizing fish scraps. A committee of experts has advised that the country should handle fish scraps as food grade for use as raw materials for different by-products like fish meal, fish oil, pet feed, cytosine, or chitin etc.

May 19, 2016

The domestic fish production in Bangladesh has been steadily growing during recent years with significant impact on GDP growth and ability of Bangladesh to meet the nutritional needs of its hundred and fifty million plus population. The country is however yet to start reaping the benefits from economically utilizing the fish wastes for producing an important range of byproducts that can be produced using fish wastes as raw materials.

These issues were highlighted by the specialists and experts attending a recently held policy dialogue on “Creating Value for Waste: How to Reduce and Utilize Fish/Shrimp Wastes.” The dialogue was organized by Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) in collaboration with Department of Fisheries (DOF), UN University–Fisheries Training Program (UNU-FTP)/ Matis, Iceland, Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Academy and Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters’ Association under Agri-business Trade Competitiveness Project (ATC-P) of Business Promotion Council, Ministry of Commerce supported by Swiss Contact.

The speakers at the dialogue suggested that instead of discarding the heads, frames, skin, scales, fins, liver, viscera, tails, guts, shells, legs etc. of fish and shrimp as wastes, these should be handled as food grades for use as raw materials for different by-products like fish meal, fish oil, pet feed, cytosine, or chitin etc.

The Chairman, BSFF in his opening remarks mentioned that they have taken the initiative to launch a campaign to create value for the shrimp and fish wastes in order to harness its potential to create jobs and generate additional income for the stakeholders in the value chain.

Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Advisor to the former Caretaker Government and Chief Guest at the dialogue, congratulated BSFF for taking this timely initiative in collaboration with DOF and industry stakeholders with technical support from UNU-FTP. He said that the biggest challenge is the mentality or mindset and efforts should continue to create awareness among all that there is a value in the wastes that can bring in benefits not only to the stakeholders involved; but also the country at large.

Source: Financial Express Online Desk. Read the full story.