A new 'life' for the catches that Catalan fishermen obtain in the Costa Brava is the goal of Institute for Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA, in Catalan). Specifically, with the blue Fish that it has not been sold at the auction (anchovy, sardine, horse mackerel or alacha) and that it is necessary to take advantage of it in some way. Thus, researchers have managed to develop up to four foods whose raw material comes from the sea: pate, broth, hummus and even some 'false sausages'. New opportunity to revalue these fish, through attractive formats that keep the healthy properties intact. Learn more below.
The challenge of the bones with the blue fish
Un 72% of catches of blue fish that were carried out in the Costa Brava Catalan in 2018 they needed to increase their commercial value, having not sold well at the auction. Because, according to the IRTA, of all that volume of fishing, only a 25% of revenue collected through the traditional channel. That, in first sale, when products such as anchovies, sardines or horse mackerel are very fresh. Therefore, there was a need to look for a better alternative output to the consumer.
And that was none other than the transformation into ready-made products, always with him blue Fish of protagonist in quite an interesting opportunity. That which, at the same time, has been a straight important to task managers. This is how the researcher recognizes it anna claret to EFE. It was imperative to find a way for the thorns of those fish they were not present in the final product. Challenge raised and achieved, as has happened with the issue of machinery. It was also necessary work with matrices other than meat, as they have explained from the institute.
The entire project of the IRTA -which has been financed by the Generalitat of Catalonia and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund- wants to be an example for other companies. In this way, from now on, it will give technological support and even advise those who are interested in developing these products. Because another of its advantages is promote the best before date blue fish in new presentations, with the healthy benefits that this entails. Remember that it is an important source of omega-3, as well as other essential nutrients.
