CIBA develops technology to transform fish waste to wealth

The ICAR-CIBA on Monday launched a fish waste processing unit at Nambikkai Nagar in Pattinapakkam, which would recycle the fish waste into high value-added products as an initiative towards adopting a circular economy in aquaculture. This would be operated by a local Self-Help Group (SHG).

Celebrating National Productivity Week, scientists from the institute explained the technology that they developed to convert fish waste into high value products to the villagers. 

Scientists from the institution highlighted the importance of cleanliness and recycling of fish waste to avoid infections and diseases, and demonstrated the protocol for recycling of fish wastes. They explained the use of this in commercial aquaculture and agriculture and their marketing potential.

Highlighting the importance of this initiative, CIBA director K K Vijayan expressed hope that this model would be a successful and sustainable model for converting the waste to value-added products that can provide ancillary income to the fisher folk. 

It would also help keep the fish markets in the country clean, he added.  According to Vijayan, this initiative would not only involve cleaning and hygienic disposal of fish market waste that is abundantly available in the village clusters, but would also help to produce wealth from waste, reiterating the concept of circular economy. This user-friendly technology would help improve the environment apart from enhancing their livelihood.

Under Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav (my village, my pride) programme, ICAR –CIBA has adopted fishing villages located near CIBA headquarters in Chennai – Srinivasapuram, Nambikkai Nagar, Mullikuppam and Mullimanagar. These are located on the creek where Adyar river discharges into the Bay of Bengal.

This clusters have 2,000 households with a population of about 4,500, whose main occupation is fishing and selling fish.