The marine-based Food Processing Industry is one of the ancient food processing industries. The industry is diverse in terms of the availability of raw materials, regional diversity, and traditions. According to the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC), 40% of the world population lives in coastal regions. These regional economies thrive primarily on marine food resources and food processing industries. Further, the diversity of the raw materials from oceans for the food system outlines a brighter future in terms of global food security. Fisheries with a variety of products along with algae-based food systems and seaweeds provide a great opportunity to harness the potential of marine ecosystems.
Marine-based Food Processing Industry: New Technology-Driven Developments
Food Processors across the world utilize a variety of raw materials with rich nutritional content in the food processing industry. These raw materials include finfish, crustaceans (such as crabs and shrimp), cephalopods (octopus and squids), mollusks (clams, cockle,s, and sea snails), aquatic plants (water spinach; Ipomoea aquatica), algae (seaweed) and other aquatic animals (mammals, insects, and sea cucumbers). These raw materials have high-quality micronutrients and macronutrients which the modern food system uses.
Fish-Based Food Products
Food fishmeal, fish body, liver oils, fish maw, isinglass, etc. are traditional raw materials used by the food processing industries. Industry uses these products to manufacture fish protein concentrate, fish albumin, glue, gelatin, pearl essence, peptones, amino acids, protamines, fish skin leather, etc.
Fish Protein
Fish is one of the main resources to fulfill the demand for protein in the food market. Food Processors use new technologies to extract proteins. This is because fish protein is highly sensitive to degrading factors such as oxidation, denaturation, and excessive heat. The conventional extraction process uses these methods. Hence, modern food processors use new technological methods such as ultrasound, microwave, supercritical fluid techniques, pulsed electric field, pressurized liquid extraction, etc.
Fish Albumin
It is a water-soluble protein found in fish. It helps transport metabolites, regulate blood pressure, and filter fluids. Food Processors use technologies such as steaming, aqueous extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction to extract this protein.
Glue and Gelatin
Fish gelatin or fish glue is prepared from fish skin and fish head. It is made from the swim bladder, gills, and ears of certain fish such as sturgeon.
Pearl Essence
It is a lustrous, silvery-white substance obtained from the scales of certain fishes. It is used chiefly in the manufacture of simulated pearls and as a pigment in lacquer (pearl lacquer).
Peptones, Amino Acids, and Protamine
Fish Protein is the source of Peptones, Amino Acids, and Protamine. Peptones are small protein fragments created by breaking down fish proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. Protamine is a highly positively charged protein found primarily in fish sperm, rich in arginine amino acids.
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Other Marine Animals Based Food Products
Crustaceans
Crustaceans include crabs, crayfish, lobsters, prawns, and shrimp. These are a good source of antioxidants, such as bioactive peptides, chitin derivatives, and carotenoids. They are also a source of nutrients such as zinc which helps to develop immune cells and acts as an antioxidant. Crustaceans are also a source of bioactive compounds. Food Processors use nascent technologies such as autolysis and enzymatic processes to extract nutrients from crustaceans. Other innovative technologies include ultrasonic, irradiation, high-pressure manufacturing, cold pulsed electric field, plasma, radiofrequency, and pulsed frequency. Companies like DNI Group LLC, Gulf Shrimp, Cooke, Nippon Ltd, The Crab Company, and Selonda Aquaculture use innovations to process crustaceans.
Cephalopods
Food processors use Cephalopods as sources of protein, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and micronutrients. They are low in fat.
Algae-Based Food System
Microalgae and macroalgae (seaweed) are rich in proteins, soluble fibers and polysaccharides, lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments, vitamins, and minerals. It is also a source of bioactive compounds such as amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can be used to enrich traditional foods. Microalgae species such as Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) and Chlorella vulgaris are a source of vegan protein. It is because of their high protein content which stands for 50%–60% of dry weight) along with the presence of amino acids and vitamin B12. They are also the source of β-carotene and Astaxanthin.
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Marine Polysaccharides
These are a class of biopolymers which is biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic. These materials can be used in the development of food packaging materials. Companies such as Showa Chemical Industry (Japan), Nova Pharma & Liposome Biotech (Taiwan), and Charming & Beauty Co., Ltd (Taiwan) are actively exploring and utilizing marine polysaccharides like alginate, carrageenan, and chitosan for packaging.
Marine-based Food Processing: Diving Into Policy Framework
The Marine Food System is the livelihood and food dependency of more than 40% of the global population. Hence, national and international governments across the world are supporting the marine-based food system through various policies.
International Policies Supporting Marine-Based Food Systems
Blue Transformation
This is an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It outlines a vision to expand aquatic food systems and increase their contribution to nutritious and affordable healthy diets for the most vulnerable population.
Objectives
There are three primary goals of this policy. These are:
- Sustainable Aquaculture Intensification and Expansion: It aims to expand Aquaculture sustainably to feed a growing population and secure income and employment opportunities. The plan aims to increase global aquaculture production by up to 40 percent by 2030.
- Effective Management of all fisheries: Under it, the FAO aims to help its members achieve effective fisheries management systems that restore resources and ecosystems to a healthy and productive state.
- Upgraded food chains through innovative practices or technologies: These will reduce loss and waste, enhance traceability and transparency, facilitate trade, and improve access to markets.
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
The commission has codified a set of standards for the marine-based food processing industries. It includes requirements for the design and facilities, control of operations (including temperature, raw materials, water supply, documentation, and recall procedures), maintenance and sanitation, personal hygiene, and training of personnel. The code applies to the code of practice for fish and fishery products, including aquaculture products.
Imported Seafood Safety Program
The US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) launched this program. It ensures that the imported fish and fishery products into the U.S. meet the same safety standards as domestically produced seafood. It does inspection, monitoring, and assessments of these seafood.
National Policies Supporting Marine-Based Food Systems
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
It is an umbrella scheme for marine food processing launched by the government of India. The scheme aims to promote the marine-based food processing industries across all domains. It aims to address:
- Critical gaps in fish production and productivity,
- Quality, technology,
- post-harvest infrastructure and management,
- Modernization and strengthening of the value chain, traceability,
- Establishing a robust fisheries management
- Framework and fishers’ welfare.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) aims to support various fisheries-related activities including marine-based food processing industries. It includes the fisheries value chain starting from fishing harbors, to ice Plants and from Cold Storage. It also includes supply chain management by supporting fish transport facilities and cold chains. In the food processing sector, it includes fish processing units and fish feed mills/plants.
Algae-Based Food Processing
- It also promotes the cultivation of algae and algae-based food processing industries in coastal regions of the country.
- The scheme has allocated an investment of Rs. 640 crores to revolutionize the seaweed sector. The scheme aims to increase seaweed production in India from current levels of 25,000 metric tons to 11.2 lakh tons of wet weight by FY 24-25.
The Algae Store
The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) in collaboration with the US Consulate-General has launched a digital platform, called ‘The Algae Store’. It aims to provide better visibility, domestic and international market access, and other services for cultivators and buyers in the future. The store seeks to become a one-stop solution for stakeholders in the seaweed sector, facilitating networking, buying and selling, and promoting the formalization of this segment.
Global And Indian Marine Food Processing Companies
Maruha Nichiro
It is a Japan-based company involved in marine-based food processing industries using the latest technological advancement in the field. It produces products such as fish sausage, canned salmon, marine-based care food, pet foods, supplements, and space food.
Alfa Laval
The company uses innovations to extract valuable proteins from fish. It uses enzyme-based hydrolyzation processes as well as acid hydrolysis equipment (silage) for this purpose. It produces centrifugal-based separation solutions that enable the production of low-fat, high-protein fish meals.
Waterbase Limited
It is a leading manufacturer and exporter of prawn feed, shrimp, and crab & fish processing machinery. It exports shrimps in different forms to quality-conscious markets of Japan, USA, and Europe – IQF, Block Frozen, and Cooked.
Ginhong Mixer
Ginhong Mixer is a Chinese company that produces high-quality industrial mixing solutions that serve the fish processing industry among others.
Martak
Martak is a UK-based company providing cutting-edge solutions for the fish processing sector. It produces equipment such as state-of-the-art filleting lines and inspection systems.
Marel
It is an Iceland-based company that deals in the fish processing equipment sector. It manufactures advanced automated systems that transform fish processing into a streamlined, hygienic, and highly productive operation.
Baader
It is a German company which manufactures high-quality processing machinery. It includes skinners, bone removers, and complete processing lines that are both efficient and innovative.
Global Market Outlook of Marine-Based Food Processing Industry
Fish Processing Market
According to the Fish Processing Global Market Growth Report, The fish processing market size will grow to $279.67 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth is attributed to customization and innovation, emerging markets, alternative protein sources, demand for convenience foods, and supply chain efficiency.
Alage-Based Food Market
The global algae-based food additive market aims to expand at a CAGR of 8.6%. It will increase from a value of US$ 4.1 Bn in 2025 to US$ 5.71 Bn by the end of 2032. Increasing Health Benefits of Algae-Based Food Additives, High Setup Expenses for the Algae Production System, and Growing Need for Plant-based Products are the main drivers for the market.
Way Forward
The increasing global population coupled with the impact on production processes due to infrastructure projects such as housing, roadways, and others have increased the stress on land. Further, increasing food consciousness and inclination towards a nutrition-rich diet has increased the focus on marine-based food processing industries for food security. It has led to rapid developments and innovations in this sector. Sustainable production and consumption processes in this sector will help to achieve multiple Sustainable Development goals and promote a ‘Blue Economy’.