Sustainability Impacts of Fish‐Processing Operations

Abstract

The background against which the sustainability of the fish-processing industry (FPI) operates was set out in Chapter 1 of this book. The overall picture was of a static (at best) wild capture fishery, which was, however, flexible in the species and the ocean areas which were being exploited. The static performance of the wild capture fishery was buoyed by the increased supply from the aquaculture sector, which, in its turn, faced issues over feed supplies. From a Sustainable Development (SD) approach four areas were recognized as important in the analysis of sustainability in the FPI: energy usage, water usage, effluents and by-product development. Subsequent chapters addressed these themes for canning, curing, freezing and chilling, and surimi production -the long-standing fish-processing operations. This chapter attempts to draw these themes together into a generic approach whilst at the same time recognizing that not all approaches will be equally applicable in all locations and for every level of technology. Nevertheless, recognition of the important factors for any FPI technology should stimulate ideas to improve sustainability to the appropriate level of that technology. Table 6.1 indicates the relative importance of each of the SD themes for each process sector. Interpretation of the table requires care. For example, the energy usage for surimi production is rated medium effect but this does not allow for the freezing and storage of the product, only the production operations -a point which will be addressed in the Section 6.4 on life cycle assessment (LCA). Pre-processing operations have been added as a class of their own as they are inevitably performed and contribute significantly to the effluent and by-product impacts.The author's approach in this chapter will be seen as Eurocentric although this is not a source of embarrassment. The European Union (EU) has a commitment to SD, good statistical information on fisheries and its FPI and a research programme, which is addressing the problems under its Framework Programmes. In addition, it has a powerful legislative programme which drives industry sectors, sometimes reluctantly, into line with its wishes. Equally valid work is being done in Canada, the United States (particularly Fish Processing: Sustainability and New OpportunitiesEdited by George M. Hall

Energy from waste and the food processing industry

“…These four elements: energy, water usage, effluents and valuable by-product recovery are crucial elements in improving the sustainability of the FPI and are also bound up in the concept of cleaner production which is a process analysis aimed at roughly the same goals. All these issues are considered for the fish processing industry as a good example for the challenges facing the FPI generally (Hall, 2010). This paper will deal only with energy, indicating sustainable generation options and the wider concepts associated with this particular process element which must be addressed to provide an all-encompassing solution.…”

Life cycle assessment of canned fish production in Thailand

“…It can also be heat-treated. However, it is a heavy material (which raises transportation costs), prone to breakage (a potential safety hazard if clear glass is used), and requires a well-sealed closure to prevent recontamination after processing (Hall, 2011). Plastic, on the other hand, degrades the quality of canned fish and may result in product rejection.…”