Towards Circular Economy of Food Systems: An Explorative Appraisal of Opportunities in Fish, Seafood Value Chains

Transformative change in food systems is necessary to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in terms of securing a nutritious diet for all, eradicating poverty, maintaining healthy ecosystems below water and on land and achieving sustainable consumption and production. Fish and seafood take up a growing share of food consumption which is both promising in terms of their higher food conversion rates relative to other animal protein sources as well as concerning given the high prevalence of overfishing. It is particularly important for the developing countries and countries in transition as the sector plays a significant role, both in economic development as well as nutrition of these nations. Circular economy offers fresh perspectives to redesign and innovate production and consumption systems for enhanced resource efficiency and contributing to inclusive and sustainable development. At the firm and value chain level, the circular economy can be operationalized in terms of resource switch, resource efficiency, resource circularity, and their applicability is illustrated for fish and seafood value chains. In terms of resource switch—the use of renewable and less harmful inputs—sustainability of the fishery or aquaculture is key, supported by further efforts in regard to alternative sources of fish meal (e.g., plant or insect-based), alternatives to plastics and use of renewable energy. For resource efficiency—ensuring higher efficiency of use of resources—minimization of losses of fish and seafood in successive stages of processing, distribution, retail and meal preparation is key, in addition to ensuring water and energy efficiency in all operations. Finally, resource circularity—returning materials at the end of their useful life back into closed recovery and reuse cycles provide new focus on the revalorization of by products (offal, skins, etc., for nutrient or energy recovery or for alternative products such as fish skin leather) and for recovery and reuse of other materials used, particularly plastics (as fishing gear, for packaging, etc.). The exploration revealed promising examples for a circular transition, including some from developing and transition countries. However, further efforts are needed to accelerate innovations in and uptake of current and emerging best practices.