The "100% Fish" initiative, originating from the Iceland Ocean Cluster, advocates for the complete utilization of every part of a fish to minimize waste, enhance sustainability, and generate new economic value. This approach, inspired by Iceland's response to the cod decline in the 1980s, transformed a fish whose fillets might be worth $12-$15 into one with a potential full value approaching $5,000 through the innovative repurposing of heads, skin, bones, and guts. The initiative extends the seafood industry's reach into sectors previously unconnected to the sea, such as fashion (fish leather), healthcare (skin grafts by Kerecis, a company recently acquired for $1.3 billion), and supplements (collagen, fish oil like Dropi, and cod enzymes in skincare).
This movement is gaining traction globally, with regions like the Great Lakes in North America, Oregon, Alaska, Namibia, Korea, and Queensland, Australia, adopting similar strategies. In the Great Lakes, over 40 companies, representing 90% of the commercial catch, have signed the "100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge" to end landfilling by 2025. This commitment is projected to unlock more than $35 million in annual economic benefits by converting once-wasted material into products ranging from animal feed and fertilizer to higher-value items like fish leather and nutritional supplements. The initiative's early successes in the Great Lakes include substantial environmental gains, as diverting fish waste from landfills significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The philosophy behind 100% Fish is rooted in the "waste not, want not" principle, addressing the significant issue of aquatic food loss, with 26.2 million tons wasted in 2021, nearly one-sixth of global production. Much of this waste occurs during processing, where discarded parts contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The Iceland Ocean Cluster, founded by Thor Sigfusson in 2011, promotes a circular fish economy through collaboration between marine biologists, processors, entrepreneurs, and product designers. This collaborative model demonstrates how industrial efficiency can correct past wasteful practices, transforming fish parts into profitable ventures and strengthening local seafood economies. The CEO of the Iceland Ocean Cluster emphasizes a "moral obligation to use everything that we capture," underscoring the ethical and economic imperative of this initiative.
