How to create value from fisheries bycatch? A case study of the sea cucumber harvested in Galicia

Abstract

One of the main aims in fisheries management is to obtain sustainable fisheries and reduce the waste and losses. Many fish species lives together in many fishing grounds. Fisheries of target species will thus include other species as bycatch. This thesis analyses potential market oriented solutions to solve the problem through by processing products valuable in the market for those species until now discarded. The sea cucumbers harvested by the Galician fleet will be an example of this procedure. The analysis of these resources shows three species possess the required nutritional properties and abundant enough to create values in existing markets. The appreciation of this product in the market permits exportation through the already existing value chain from the fishing vessels to local and Asian markets used for other seafood products.