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Due to the recent tightening of regulations surrounding the disposal of seafood processing waste to landfill, fish and shellfish processors are now facing a rise in the cost and difficulty of waste disposal. This is of particular concern in remote areas where alternative uses (e.g. fishmeal) are neither accessible nor economically viable and therefore, cost effective and environmentally-sound solutions to the disposal of this waste need to be found. This report examines the potential for disposal at sea, together with the likely impacts and advice on the selection of appropriate sites for disposal.

This report focuses on high temperature composting and follows a range of mixes of sea-food waste with household ‘green waste’ (i.e. grass clippings, hedge trimmings and garden vegetable residues), through the composting process as replicated treatments and concludes with bioassay and plant growing trials on the resultant composted material.

The Annual Report provides a detailed Management Commentary and financial review of the activities undertaken by Seafish during 2023/2024 and information on future developments.

With increasing environmental controls and restrictions on the disposal of animal byproducts, the seafood industry is in urgent need of alternative disposal outlets. Trials in 2003 showed that composting was a suitable process for treating different types of seafood waste. Since then, commercial scale trials with composting companies have been carried out. In 2005, Seafish commissioned a project in North-West England to assess the suitability of commercial scale composting for the disposal of cooked whelk waste. Cooked whelk waste, comprising flesh and shell, was provided by AM Seafoods of Fleetwood. TEG Environmental carried out the composting, using their commercial facility near Preston. Cooked whelk processing waste was delivered to the TEG site during March and April 2005 and mixed with amendment material comprising shredded green waste, draff (spent grain), broiler litter and recycled compost. The mixed material was then composted in the TEG system. The project found that whelk waste is suitable for treatment in a commercial composting system and, providing it is properly mixed with other materials, can be used in land based applications. Composting is a potential solution for shellfish waste but it is preferable to use soft shell, shell with high levels of flesh attached or ensure shell is well ‘diluted’ with other feedstocks to prevent elevated calcium levels.

The Annual Report provides a detailed Management Commentary and financial review of the activities undertaken by Seafish during 2010/2011 and information on future developments.

The Annual Report provides a detailed Management Commentary and financial review of the activities undertaken by Seafish during 2022/2023 and information on future developments.

Shellfish processors want simple, local, cost-effective solutions for managing shellfish waste. Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been identified as a potential solution for shellfish waste treatment. The process produces methane which can be used to generate energy and digestate (fertiliser) which has applications in agriculture and horticulture. Heat and Power Ltd. were part funded by Seafish to evaluate the potential of AD as a solution for Orkney based shellfish and food processors. The main aims of the project were to consider whether AD could reduce commercial waste disposal costs and establish a sustainable waste management solution for the island. It included a small-scale batch digester trial on crab shells. This report summarises AD technology, suitable food wastes in Orkney and results of a small-scale batch trial on crab processing waste.

The Annual Report provides a detailed Management Commentary and financial review of the activities undertaken by Seafish during 2020/2021 and information on future developments.

The Annual Report provides a detailed Management Commentary and financial review of the activities undertaken by Seafish during 2019/2020 and information on future developments.

A social and economic impact assessment of cockle mortality in the Burry Inlet cockle fishery, south Wales UK.

In late 2004, Defra tasked Seafish with carrying out a review of the options available for managing seafood waste, within the context of waste policy and legislation. This required a review of the types, quantities and origin of seafood waste, consideration of the timescale for industry to achieve compliance and an assessment of the measures required in the interim. This report provides an overview of the current situation and the options available for seafood waste management. It provides a strategic framework for the seafood industry to move from the current difficulties towards the overall strategic aims of reducing waste, minimising costs and maximising revenue. This is set within a 10 year timescale with prioritised short, medium and long-term objectives.