Boosting Scotland’s Seafood Industry: A Collaborative Approach for Greater Value

By Kim Cameron, Senior Impact Manager at the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC).

The Economic Importance of Scotland’s Seafood Industry

Scotland’s seafood industry plays a vital role in the nation’s economy. From fishing vessels that catch wild fish to extensive salmon farms along the picturesque west coast, this industry underpins over 75,000 jobs and contributes approximately £5 billion annually to the marine economy[1].

Maximizing By-products and Reducing Waste

Scottish seafood is not just valuable on the market; it also represents Scotland’s largest food export, with Scottish salmon frequently leading the UK’s export statistics[2]. However, a significant issue looms over the production process: for every fish that lands on our plates, large quantities of bones, skin, heads, and shells remain unused. Often sent to lower-value applications like fishmeal or oil, these by-products contain proteins and other valuable compounds that could be harnessed for pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, and more.

Challenges in By-product Utilization

Transforming these side streams into high-value products is no simple task. The seafood industry faces tight profit margins, intricate logistics, and stringent regulations. While lab-tested ideas show promise, they often falter in real-world applications due to existing supply chain constraints. Understanding the origins and handling of these side streams is just as crucial to success as the scientific methods employed.

The Need for a Collaborative Framework

A collaborative approach is essential to tackle these challenges. By uniting stakeholders across the seafood sector and the innovation ecosystem, we can shift focus from isolated product ideas to a comprehensive strategy. This mindset helps in creating value from under-utilized resources while fortifying the entire industry.

Launching the Scottish Ocean Cluster

In March 2025, the Scottish Ocean Cluster was launched, spearheaded by various organizations including IBioIC, Seafood Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland, Opportunity North East, and Aberdeenshire Council. This initiative fosters dialogue and collaboration among producers, processors, researchers, and technology providers, drawing from Iceland’s successful strategies. Its mission is to collectively address challenges without dictating a singular approach, thereby promoting real-world innovation.

Scotland’s Bioeconomy Potential

With a globally acknowledged seafood sector and robust capabilities in biotechnology, Scotland stands at the forefront of bioeconomy growth. Aligning these strengths opens up avenues for innovative applications of materials already being harvested, leading to high-value products that not only create skilled jobs but also diversify activities in coastal communities.

Innovative Solutions Beyond Biotechnology

Innovation in this domain extends beyond biotechnology alone. Improvements in processing, handling, and equipment can also unlock significant value. Adapting materials for both food and non-food usage enhances efficiency and resilience within the industry, ensuring that more value is retained and ultimately enhanced.

Creating Conditions for Practical Implementation

The primary challenge now lies in establishing the conditions necessary for innovative ideas to flourish. Coordinating stakeholders, exploring novel approaches, and integrating these innovations into established supply chains are vital actions required to unlock Scotland’s seafood potential.

Alignment with Government Strategies

The cluster’s efforts complement the Scottish Government’s objectives for developing a circular food system. Furthermore, Scotland’s National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology recognizes the essential role of biorefining in constructing sustainable value chains that maximize underutilized feedstocks like seafood by-products.

[1] https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-marine-economic-statistics-2023/pages/marine-economy-overview/

[2] https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24932870.scottish-salmon-hits-record-sales-uks-top-food-export/