Preliminary findings from a study led by Technopole Quimper-Cornouaille (TQC), carried out within the AQUAFISH project and supported by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme, indicate that between 30% and 50% of processed seafood is currently generated as by-products. The study aims to lay the groundwork for assessing the economic potential of marine by-products across four Atlantic countries: France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland.
Across the Atlantic Region, consumer acceptance of products derived from marine by-products is generally positive. However, perceptions differ depending on the type of product and the fraction of the by-product used. The study also highlights evolving market trends: demand is increasingly driven by transparency, ethical practices and health benefits, creating strong momentum for natural and certified functional ingredients.
The results, to be presented between April and September 2026 during a series of national workshops*, underline that despite this favourable context, significant challenges remain. These include fragmented industrial structures, high logistics and regulatory compliance costs, supply instability linked to seasonality and fishing quotas, regulatory complexity, and insufficient processing infrastructure. While the intensity of these barriers varies across the four Atlantic countries, they remain common constraints to scaling up marine by-product valorisation initiatives.
* CEEI Cádiz and CTAqua in Spain, TQC and IARA in France, S2Aquacolab in Portugal, and WestBIC in Ireland will promote the workshops.
Across the Atlantic Region, consumer acceptance of products derived from marine by-products is generally positive. However, perceptions differ depending on the type of product and the fraction of the by-product used. The study also highlights evolving market trends: demand is increasingly driven by transparency, ethical practices and health benefits, creating strong momentum for natural and certified functional ingredients.
The results, to be presented between April and September 2026 during a series of national workshops*, underline that despite this favourable context, significant challenges remain. These include fragmented industrial structures, high logistics and regulatory compliance costs, supply instability linked to seasonality and fishing quotas, regulatory complexity, and insufficient processing infrastructure. While the intensity of these barriers varies across the four Atlantic countries, they remain common constraints to scaling up marine by-product valorisation initiatives.
* CEEI Cádiz and CTAqua in Spain, TQC and IARA in France, S2Aquacolab in Portugal, and WestBIC in Ireland will promote the workshops.
Publish date: 2026-02-09
