Led by CTAQUA, WP1 will focus on research and development for the creation of innovative food products from by-products and bycatch of the aquaculture and fisheries industries, including waste reduction in product processing, and life-cycle treatment through innovative techniques.
In order to do this, a series of activities will be carried out to first identify the most relevant by-products and bycatch volumes in aquaculture and fisheries in the 8 regions where the project will be implemented (Andalucía in Spain; Eastern and Midland Region and Northern and Western Region in Ireland; Bretagne and Île de France in France; Algarve, Lisboa and Região Autónoma da Madeira in Portugal), that will constitute the basis of the new food products developed by the project (circular economy approach).
A common methodology will be designed to estimate the quantity and quality of by-products and bycatch for the Atlantic Area, including guidelines aimed at public authorities, to be tested in one territory per country.
Once identified the most relevant by-products and bycatch volumes in the area, this WP will focus on the R&D of new
functional food products taking the identified by-products and bycatch as raw material. To do this, concept analysis and
a series of experimental works will be carried out to assess the adequacy and nutritional quality of the products,
including an assessment of the acceptance by a panel of international tasters from the regions involved in the project.
Finally, 4 pilot actions related to sustainable productive models and creation of innovative good products will be carried
out to complement the portfolio of innovative products with additional ones, in each of the territories of the project.
It is foreseen to validate 4 new products prototypes in the framework of AQUAFISH0.0
Led by IPMA, this WP will be aimed at ensuring the environmental, economic and administrative feasibility of the new
circular economy products and production processes proposed under WP1. In order to do this, a comprehensive analysis
will be carried out, assessing:
- The regulatory and administrative aspects of the products and their production processes
- The food security and risk assessment
- A marketing and economy analysis
This analysis will be carried out using different techniques, including desk research, interviews with experts and validation workshops, among others, including international experts familiar with the regulatory frameworks and the common policies and challenges at the Atlantic Area level.
The information gathered in this analysis, will allow the BICs that form the partnership to support companies from the aquaculture and fisheries industries in their regions working in the re use of by-products and bycatch from the fisheries and aquaculture industries for the development of innovative food products.
Led by Institut Agro, this WP will be aimed at ensuring the social acceptance of the new food products developed and, of the sustainable aquaculture and fisheries innovative products and processes implemented using by-products and bycatch following a circular economy approach.
In order to do this, a study on general acceptance will be developed to know the starting point and use the results to make recommendations about the measures to be taken concerning awareness raising and sensibilisation for the social acceptance of the new products in the Atlantic Area.
In this context, a series of activities will be carried out with different stakeholders, including industries, policy makers and general public. Specific actions will be carried out to ensure the engagement of the future generation of consumers, with tailored activities in schools.
AQUAFISH0.0 is an European project co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)