Earlier this year, the Bangladeshi Shrimp and Fisheries Association (BSFF) requested assistance from the United Nations University of Fisheries and Matís in finding ways to reduce raw material losses, in fisheries, slaughter and transport to the market, as well as in increasing the utilization of by-products.
Earlier this year, the Bangladeshi Shrimp and Fisheries Association (BSFF) requested assistance from the United Nations University of Fisheries and Matís in finding ways to reduce raw material losses, in fisheries, slaughter and transport to the market, as well as in increasing the utilization of by-products. . The reason for the collaboration is, among other things, that several students from Bangladesh have in recent years been studying at the United Nations University of Fisheries, where Matís has taken an active part in the teaching. Icelanders' knowledge and success in utilizing by-products and increasing the value of seafood has also attracted attention there and elsewhere in the world.
Opportunities for innovation and value added
On this occasion, they went to Dr. Guðmundur Stefánsson and Oddur Gunnarsson from Matís and Mary Frances Davidson from the United Nations Fisheries University to Bangladesh on 11-17. last May. There, they had the opportunity to learn about fishing, processing and aquaculture with the aim of finding ways to reduce production losses, create new valuable products and increase knowledge of food safety. In addition, find ways to increase co-operation between the United Nations Fisheries University, Matís and Bangladesh. The visit attracted considerable attention in that country and was covered in the newspaper Financial Express. It is clear that the increase in the value of marine products in that country could be considerable with changed processing methods.
Fish is an important food in Bangladesh and about 15 million people are employed in fishing, farming and processing. Every year, about 3 million tonnes of fish are processed there. Most of it shrimp, tilapia and pangasus go for sale domestically. Only a small fraction is exported, but exports amount to only about 100,000 tonnes. Shrimp is the largest single export product and around 50,000 tonnes of it are exported annually, but the supply of raw materials is limited, which prevents further exports. The shrimp are usually exported head and shellless. During processing, a lot of by-products are generated, or up to 20,000 tonnes that are not utilized. There are obvious opportunities for further processing and value creation and a good opportunity for Matís to share his knowledge.
Lack of supervision
In Bangladesh, there is a great need to improve the handling of catches for the domestic market. Of the 43,000 vessels that make up the fleet, only the fish on board in a few of them can be frozen, usually due to lack of facilities, and it is often difficult to get ice. This means that a large part of the catch that goes to the domestic market is uncooled from the time it is caught until it reaches the consumer. Conditions in the markets and in transport are not exemplary, as the fish are often poorly or not frozen at all and there is a significant lack of hygiene. It is estimated that about a quarter of the catch and farmed products are damaged due to lack of refrigeration and poor handling and are therefore not suitable for human consumption.
Control over the processing and security of smaller vessels is also minimal, despite the fact that they supply the domestic market almost exclusively with fish. On the other hand, control of larger vessels and freezer trawlers is in most cases good, but there are 175 freezer trawlers in the country, 74 of which meet the strictest requirements and can transport goods to the European Union and other large markets. At the same time, there is little control over landing ports, markets, storage conditions, factories and aquaculture. The problem lies in the fact that far too few individuals carry out this control, but in total there are over 70 in a country that counts 160 million and their workforce is mostly spent following laws and regulations regarding exports.
The status of fish stocks and possible overfishing are a matter of concern, but there is little or no monitoring of fish stocks and changes in stock sizes. However, improvements are expected in that regard, as the Bangladeshi Ministry of Fisheries expects a research vessel in 2015, but now the only data on catches, fishing reports of individual boats and vessels.
Great interest in cooperation
Syed Mahmudul Huq, BSFF's chairman, came to Iceland shortly after Guðmundur and Oddur's visit to discuss the project and its preparations. But Matís and the United Nations Fisheries University's proposals to BSFF are threefold. Firstly, to formulate a policy on courses for the domestic market with the aim of reducing raw material losses, improving food security and building infrastructure in the fish distribution chain. Secondly, to launch courses for the export industry on better utilization of by-products and an increase in the value of fish products. Thirdly, to increase the competitiveness of the export industry through feasibility studies on the utilization of the by-products already generated by aquaculture and processing in Bangladesh. It is hoped that the courses will begin at the beginning of 2014.