Valorization of Marine Fishery Waste for Sustainable Aquafeed Production in Africa

The manufacture of aquafeed is still a major obstacle to the long-term growth of aquaculture in Africa, mainly due to the high price and restricted availability of imported feed ingredients. At the same time, the continent’s fishing and coastal industries produce large amounts of nutrient-rich marine and fisheries waste, such as fish heads, bones, viscera, shrimp shells, and crustacean exoskeletons, which are frequently thrown away incorrectly and largely underutilized, seriously degrading the environment. The possibility of turning these leftovers into sustainable, alternative raw materials for regional aquafeed production is examined in this research. Fish waste may now be transformed into premium, protein-rich feed ingredients thanks to advancements in processing technologies, including rendering, fermentation, and enzymatic hydrolysis. This can increase fish growth and health, decrease production costs, and lessen dependency on pricey imports. African nations can boost coastal economies, reduce environmental effects, increase resource efficiency, and promote food and nutritional security by incorporating marine waste valorization into aquaculture systems. This chapter outlines the environmental, economic, and scientific justifications for implementing waste-to-feed practices. It also identifies the main obstacles and opportunities for expanding these programs throughout the continent, which will support the growth of aquaculture sustainably and the circular bioeconomy.