Sustainable afteruse of cleanerfish

Summary

In this project, we have researched opportunities and challenges related to the after-use of cleaner fish that have had part of their life cycle in the net cages together with the salmon to eat lice. For this, we have had an interdisciplinary approach, where we have identified nutritional and process technical product properties that are important for using the fish for human consumption. We have tested lumpfish and ballan wrasse and the nutrient content in both shows a good protein quality, and low content of environmental toxins. In addition, the results show that ballan wrasse has high values of EPA + DHA and vitamin B12, and the lumpfish high value of vitamin D3. In the project, we have also investigated processing and storage methods to preserve the quality as best as possible. Preliminary testing shows very good results for brine freezing of the fish. Furthermore, we have examined the regulations related to cleaner fish used for human consumption. Here, the management regime for ballan wrasse is central to taking care of the resource and welfare of the lumpfish throughout the life cycle. We have investigated the profitability of different uses and different logistics solutions in addition to having investigated the market potential for cleaner fish in South Korea. Given the preconditions for after-feeding in cages to achieve usable sizes, the costs will be very high and one will depend on markets with a high willingness to pay. The results from market tests of the cleanerfish among a selection of informants from the seafood industry in South Korea, show that selling whole cleaner fish for human consumption can also be challenging due to appearance, taste, texture and lice eating history. More processed cleaner fish products may have greater potential.