Fish Waste and By-Product Utilization: A Circular Economy

Significant increase in population growth across the globe followed by the rapid rise in industrialization and urbanization has augmented aquaculture production; consequently, the amount of fish waste generated has also seen a remarkable rise around the globe. The management of waste is one of the main problems that have a great effect on the environment. The utilization of fish waste and fish by-products permits the waste reduction that else would lead to the pollution of both the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the future. The considerable stress of the fishery wastes on the ecosystem puts forward the importance of using it as a potential source compound that helps to promote good health. The nutritive value of fish waste products is almost similar to the edible parts of fish. Collagen, gelatin, bioactive peptides, protein hydrolysates, enzymes, anti-microbial peptides, pigments, chitosan, chitin, lipids, and minerals that have high nutritional value, good flavor, and are suitable for storage can be generated by re-processing the fish waste. The use of this new biological source for generation of the compounds having high value will also prove beneficial for the sustainable use of biotic sources. Utilization of fish by-products symbolizes an important tool in lowering the problem of hunger and food shortage in developing countries. In addition to this, the multifariousness of the productive chains promotes the generation of employment opportunities and as a result, turns out to be advantageous both for the environment and for the upliftment of the socio-economic conditions of human society. The utilization of fish wastes and fishery by-products will also help in improving the economy of fish-processing industries.