A white paper outlining the bioproducts emerging from cross-border research in the Blue Biotechnology field was drawn up under the cross-border Alliance for Research and Innovation in Blue Biotechnology for Valorisation of Marine Waste (ARIBiotech) project.
This document, one of the achievements of the “ARIBiotech” project which concluded on Thursday in Tunis, is geared towards the creation of new biological products from marine bio-waste or by-products, said the project’s organisers.
Based on a circular economy approach, this initiative aims to transform pollution sources into sustainable opportunities so as to help preserve marine ecosystems while proposing innovative solutions.
“The exploitation of marine biomass and the recovery of by-products from the sea, whether through their direct use or the extraction of biopolymers, stand out as promising solutions for a more sustainable use of marine resources, while providing growing economic incentives,” reads the book.”
Towards a cross-border Alliance in b
lue biotechnology
On the occasion of the completion of the project, a letter of intent was inked between 9 laboratories, research centres, associations and start-ups for the creation of the first cross-border alliance in blue biotechnology.
This fruitful collaboration for the sustainable recovery of marine waste aims to reduce its impact on the environment and to create entrepreneurial opportunities.
The “ARIBiotech” project is co-funded by the European Union under the Italy-Tunisia ENI CBC Programme 2014-2020. It aims to enhance the marine biotechnology research and innovation ecosystem in order to encourage the recovery of waste in fishing ports in Sicily and Tunisia.
By bringing together the various stakeholders in an 18-month process of research and innovation and intensive management activities, the “ARIBiotech” project has helped create a consensus and a shared vision for the future of marine waste management and recovery.
These efforts will help fully exploit the economic and environmental potenti
al of biotechnological recovery of marine waste, thereby contributing to the well-being of coastal communities and the sustainability of marine resources.
This new approach to innovative waste management, based on marine biotechnology, is also a real economic opportunity for job creation, new industries and the development of a circular economy.
Tunisia counts 41 fishing ports, managed by the Fishing Ports and Installations Agency (French: APIP).
Discards (accidental fishing not intended for sale) account for up to 50% of catches in fishing activities. This represents over 100 tonnes a year of organic waste that could be exploited.
Using these by-products is a potential solution to food and feed challenges and to mitigating environmental pollution.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse