Why Discard 50% of Marine Biomass? : Strategic Approaches on the Use of Fishery By-products in Korea

Abstract

Securing raw materials through mass production of functional materials is a principal for marine bioindustrial development. However there was a fundamental limitation which were not active in terms of utilization and industrialization of the by-products compared to other aquatic products despite the potential of the by-products in Korea. In order to overcome this limitation, it is necessary to establish a related cooperative system such as technology development, and legal and institutional adjustment to establish a system that utilizes fishery by-products with the goal of industrialization through standardization of raw materials. In general, fishery by-products generated in processing facilities have the characteristics of being able to sterilize, separate, and collect in large quantities. If this can be converted into the marine biotechnology industry, 50% of the fishing effort can be used to convert the high quality and low cost biomaterials industry. Cooperation in each of these fields can set legal standards for use, promote industrial utilization of fishery by-products, and achieve a circular economy of waste resources. Furthermore, it will also be an opportunity to reduce various sources of pollution on land and marine environments, reduce carbon emissions and share the economic benefits of the by-product treatment provinces and various business sectors.