Fish waste to future wealth: How Namibia’s fisheries are collaborating on sustainable innovation

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that over one-third of seafood is lost or wasted while more than 92% of global fisheries are harvested at maximum yield or over-fished. Losses occur at sea from primary processing of the catch and on land from processing in factories. Much of this can go toward production of fishmeal or fish oil. Around 25-35% of fishmeal production currently comes from by-products of seafood processing with demand increasing to meet the needs of the expanding aquaculture sector. Additionally, high value products can be developed from, for example, skins and livers.

Food and job insecurity remain high concerns among many nations, particularly for coastal communities reliant on marine resources. The increased seafood processing would create more employment opportunities whilst supporting the scaling of local by-product innovations. Increasing the overall value of the fish may also allow for certain by-products to be sold to local communities.

The Iceland Ocean Cluster, a company which facilitates networking opportunities for ocean related industries in Iceland and worldwide, has led the way in achieving increased utilization of their cod fishery. In doing so, they have created about 700 jobs and increased the market value of the fishery to around $500 million, according to the Cluster. They have been at the forefront of the 100% Fish Movement which aims to inspire seafood stakeholders to increase the use and value of each fish, support new business opportunities, increase employment and ultimately decrease waste. New products and start-up companies in this movement have included wound dressings, nutraceuticals and a cola-style drink that has overtaken sales of premium cola brands in Iceland. Fish by-product innovation is gaining traction in many other coastal countries, such as in Kenya, where there is development of the fish leather industry, and other regional Ocean Clusters within Iceland’s network.

The Namibia Ocean Cluster is in the process of joining this network as the seafood industry collaboratively explores ways to optimize the utilization of post-harvest seafood losses and maximize the socioeconomic benefits derived from the country’s marine capture fisheries.

Namibia faces significant challenges, with 22% of the population being food insecure and a 33% unemployment rate. The fishing sector plays a crucial role in the country's economy, contributing 3.6% to its GDP, meaning it is well placed to play a positive role in addressing these systemic problems.

The country has strong enabling conditions to develop a collaborative approach as the fisheries are considered well-managed through Total Allowable Catch (TAC) systems and MSC certification for its primary fishery. Additionally, Namibia's commitment to ocean sustainability is evident through President Geingob's involvement in the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy which has identified minimizing seafood loss and waste as a transformation objective for providing more food from the ocean.

Much like many commercial fisheries worldwide, large quantities of Namibian fisheries’ by-products are left at sea in the form of heads, internal organs, skins and frames. Research from 2018 revealed that around 33% seafood was lost, and approximately 71,000 tonnes removed off the boat, due to the heading and eviscerating process, a practice commonly employed by industrial fisheries.

Collectively, there is huge opportunity in recapturing more of these by-products and processing them into value-added items. Although it is known that the by-products contain valuable nutrients and chemical properties, combining resources is necessary to ensure the retrieval of such products are economically viable.

For nearly three years the Namibia fishing industry has worked with the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda on a project, funded by the United Kingdom’s Blue Planet Fund, to build globally applicable models that can help reduce seafood loss and waste and maximise socio-economic value. On 21 September 2023, executive representatives of the Namibia Ocean Cluster Working Group convened to commit to the coalition’s launch in January 2024. This Cluster is a multi-stakeholder organization that will provide a safe space to collaborate on operational and entrepreneurial solutions that address seafood loss and waste.

At present, six founding companies within the hake fishery make up the cluster: Embwinda Fishing, Hangana Seafood, Merlus Seafood Processors, NovaNam, Pereira Seafood Company and Seawork. The founding Cluster members are now working together, to explore how these raw materials could be captured, landed, and processed into products that add value to each fish harvested.

“We are thrilled to see Namibian fishing industry leaders commit to joining the global Ocean Cluster community and minimise seafood losses - maximising socioeconomic value in the process”, commented Thor Sigfusson, Founder and CEO of the Iceland Ocean Cluster. “It takes visionary leaders to challenge long held paradigms, but this movement to minimise losses from fisheries is critical to good business, sustainable fisheries management and planet appropriate food systems.”

The mission of the Cluster is to bring together the Namibian seafood sector and allied stakeholders, in a non-competitive, collaborative forum, which collectively believes in working towards maximizing viable utilization of all seafood post-harvest. This will lead to new product development, promotion of new economic models, research, methods, and markets. The long-term impact of this industry shift will result in increased food production and nutrition security, higher value fish, increases in local employment and a more efficient use of marine resources, contributing to several of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Namibia has unearthed a treasure trove of opportunities that resonate with challenges found in fisheries worldwide. The groundbreaking models and invaluable insights forged by the Namibia Ocean Cluster hold the power to not only inspire but also guide other nations toward maximizing the utilization of seafood by-products. The 100% Fish Movement is gaining more traction, and as a regional leader in the seafood industry, Namibia’s efforts in repurposing its fish by-products will have ripple effects throughout the regionally and globally as well.