Line of action:

Status:

Execution date:

General Objective:

Improve the comprehensive management of fish viscera, both on board and on land, in order to carry out an adequate recovery of this waste as a resource from the hygienic-sanitary, environmental and economic point of view.

Specific objectives:

1. To know the characteristics of the viscera in relation to the parameters that will influence their possibilities of use by performing a Sandach categorisation.
2. To train the people involved in the possibilities of improvement with respect to the initial situation and the correct comprehensive management of this waste by ship.

All the proposed activities were carried out and, despite the difficulties encountered in enhancing the collection of samples, the expected results were achieved.

Data on hake, megrim and monkfish catches from the trawl fleet that unloads the fresh product in the Port of Vigo were collected, and a calculation of the viscera generated by the processing of these species on board could be made. In total, a total of 164,538.96 kg of viscera was generated by the fresh trawl fleet that operates in the waters of Gran Sol and unloads its products in the Port of Vigo. In relation to the landings of species subject to the landing obligation, in 2019 this volume amounted to more than 10 tonnes for this port. As for the sampling, seven batches of samples were analyzed, with a total of 65 samples of viscera (27 of hake, 27 of rooster and 11 of monkfish).

Based on the volume obtained, several valuation proposals have been made. The use for biogas is interesting, although it must be taken into account that as it is a low volume of viscera compared to the raw material needs of biogas plants, it would be necessary to mix them with other by-products.

In relation to the species subject to the landing obligation, the destination for fishmeal is optimal. As for the viscera, it is recommended to bring them ashore in isolated chambers in the hold of the ship for treatment, or in the event that the space in the hold is not available, and provided that the correct inerting is carried out on board to prevent parasitosis of other species, to dump them into the sea once processed.

In relation to training, seven workshops have been held, which had the participation of the fishing fleet in the North Atlantic demarcation. The workshops allowed 85 students to be trained in good practices in the evisceration and handling of fish on board. The course was offered to crew members of ship-owning companies, to students of the fishing captain cycle of the “Instituto Politécnico Marítimo Pesqueiro do Atlántico” of Vigo (most of them currently fishing sailors) and to teachers of the subject of biology.

Following the implementation of the project, the following outputs and results have been obtained:

• Report on the quantity and typology of viscera and generation map.
• Study report on the characterization and identification of the samples.
• Report on the identification of possibilities in the integrated management of offal waste on land, according to the Sandach typology.
• Report on the logistics system for the correct management of waste.
• Project brochure.

The assessment of the project is positive, since the proposed results have been achieved, several options for the recovery of fish viscera have been proposed, as well as indications on how to avoid the increase of parasitosis in marine animals, and a suitable point for the management of this waste in port has been located.