Seafish Study for Best Use of Discarded Fish

Seafish wants to identify commercially available bulk uses or outlets for discards that may be landed, assess the feasibility of accessing these bulk outlets and make recommendations on the options that industry can take forward.

Seafish Project Manager, Michaela Archer, explains: "The Defra 'Fishing for the Markets' initiative recommended that a feasibility study to determine the detailed logistical implications for processing into fishmeal, all (or part) of the discarded fish currently generated by the English fishing fleet would be advantageous.

"This clearly needs further investigation. The fishmeal market does have significant potential to be a key solution for the utilisation of discarded fish, but we believe there may be other markets that could also be utilised, so we have expanded the scope of the project to also look at outlets such as pet feed, ensiling, hydrolysates, and even possibly composting and anaerobic digestion.

"In each case we want to assess the suitability of the outlet identified in terms of locality to the catching sector; capacity to receive discards; limitations and uncertainties; associated revenues and costs for the catching sector; and requirements for additional investment such as storage facilities, sorting/grading, traceability and processing. Consideration will also be given to any local, regional and national variations," said Ms Archer.

Seafish is looking for applicants who are suitably qualified to undertake this project, with expertise in undertaking work of this nature, and a track record in research and delivering projects to a high standard.

The deadline for submitting tenders is 5pm on 15 February 2012. The tender should be e-mailed to Michaela Archer at m_archer@seafish.co.uk Tenders received after the deadline will not be accepted. The majority of the work should be completed by 31 March 2012. The deadline for completion of the project is 13 April 2012.

For further information see the Seafish website: /media/558670/seafishtender_discardsinbulkoutletsnotforhumanconsumption_201201 or contact Michaela Archer on Tel: 01472 252332, Mobile: 07876 035739.