From leftover to exploitation: the sustainability of shrimp-prawn co-products in Banglaesh

Abstract:

Co-Products (CTS) devive during the processing of shrimp-prawn has been a new horizon of research because of its valuable bioactive compounds. Contimaed production of this CT without corresponding development on utilizing technology has resulted in wante disposal and pollution problems. Far less attention has been placed on the sustainability of downstream processing, including how CPs is managed. This paper contributes new information on the current utilization of shrimp-prawn CPs in a case study on Khulna where most of the seafood processing industry are situated and CPs processing were done. This study also calculated the amount of CPs derive from Black tiger shrimp (BTS) and Fresh water prawn (FWP). Supporting the movement towards the full utilization of CPs, this paper goes a step further by emphasizing the information about history, trends, value chain and processing of CPs in Bangladesh. Exploratory scenarios of this case study found that the utilization of CPs in Bangladesh were begin in 2004 when only body shell are subjected to process and in 2007 head shell are added with body shell which is still practiced. Experiment showed that the percentage of CPs found in BTS is 49% and in FWP is 67% of whole. In case of processing of CPs, brain of FWP are gone for human consumption; a good quantity of shell and head of both were gone to chatal for drying and some for fin fish farming. After drying 90% of head were gone to fish mill and 10% of head with 100% shell were gone for export. Results showed that the value chain of CPs is composed of several important members including processors, collectors, transporters, drying workers, mill workers and exporter. Relationships are quite stable among the chain members, with quality, price and credit items being the most important factors that influence the chain. As the aquaculture industry moves into a new era of production and processing, the research identifies that Bangladesh could increase its foreign currency 19 times greater than conventional one by alternative utilization. It is hoped that the ideas raised within this paper will encourage further discussion and collaboration on this topic going forward.