Marine by-product valorisation: a strategic opportunity for the Atlantic blue economy

Marine by-product valorisation is emerging as a major strategic opportunity to strengthen the blue economy in the Atlantic Area. As part of the AQUAFISH European project, an extensive analysis was conducted between May 2025 and November 2025 to lay the foundation of the economic potential assessment of marine by-products in four Atlantic countries: France, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. Led by Technopole Quimper-Cornouaille (TQC), with contributions from Institut Agro Rennes Angers (IARA), CEEI Cadiz, CTAQUA and IEDT, and carried out by the engineering French company Upcyclink. The study identifies concrete levers to enhance circularity, innovation and competitiveness across the sector.

The analysis focuses on three key market segments: human food, functional ingredients and dietary supplements. The study shows that the four countries share strong common advantages. Between 30 and 50 percent of processed seafood becomes by-products, providing a large and steady resource base. This biomass forms the essential raw material for food, nutraceutical and functional ingredient value chains. In the context of a growing circular economy, the valorisation of these by-products is strongly supported by national and European policies and funding schemes, which often cover 30 to 50 percent of investment costs and promote innovation, sustainability and industrial upgrading.

Market demand is shifting toward greater transparency, ethical practices and health benefits, creating strong momentum for natural and certified functional ingredients. Research clusters and technical platforms play a key role in integrating innovations into value chains. Harmonised European regulations provide a stable framework that supports industrial development and market confidence. Consumer acceptance of marine by-product–based products is generally positive, although perceptions vary depending on product type and the fraction used. The diversification into human food, functional ingredients and dietary supplements, combined with opportunities linked to sustainability labels, represents a powerful economic driver for competitiveness and value creation across the sector.

Despite this favourable context, several challenges remain: fragmented industrial structures, high logistics and compliance costs, unstable supply tied to seasonality and quotas, regulatory complexity and a lack of adequate processing infrastructure... These barriers vary in intensity across the 4 Atlantic countries but remain common constraints for scaling up valorisation initiatives.

The study also highlights specific dynamics in each country.

Beyond the strategic diagnosis, the project is developing several practical tools for businesses. These include three standard economic scenarios for valorisation, four to five concrete modelled case studies, a decision-making tool, and a marketing analysis specifically dedicated to AQUAFISH new food products. These tools will be tested in early 2026 in each of the four countries with companies interested in exploring new valorisation pathways.

Results will be disseminated between April and September 2026 during national workshops organised in collaboration with project partners: CEEI Cadiz and CTAqua in Spain, TQC and IARA in France, S2Aquacolab in Portugal and WestBIC in Ireland. The final report is scheduled for publication in October 2026.