Seafood Waste Management Status in Bangladesh and Potential for Silage Production

Abstract

Frozen shrimp and fish are the second most valuable export items from Bangladesh. Thus, in processing industries, a considerable amount of seafood waste is produced every year. Neglecting seafood waste leads to serious forms of wastage. The purpose of this survey-based study was to estimate the amount of seafood waste produced and understand the existing waste management practices in Bangladesh. Potential for seafood waste-based silage production and its utilization were also studied. Across the seafood industry, around 43,321 tons of seafood waste are produced every year. The highest amount of seafood waste is produced in Khulna, followed by Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka, and Sylhet. Local people consume a portion of fresh shrimp carapace and heads and gills of large fish. A portion of seafood waste is also used to feed aquaculture species. Moreover, parts of dried shrimp shells, appendages, and fish scales, air bladders, and fins are exported to some Asian countries. The prospect of fish silage production constitutes a promising new development for animal feed production in Bangladesh. The availability of waste materials from seafood processors and the demand from feed millers favor the conditions for silage production. However, in order for the seafood waste-based silage industry to flourish, the establishment of supply chains for seafood waste and end products (silage) is required. Studies on growth performance, muscle quality, and digestibility of animal feed with silage-based diets are required for farmed species.