From Iceland to Illinois and the Great Lakes Region – 100% Fish

Photos courtesy of the author.

What if we could utilize more of each commercially caught fish to maximize positive environmental and economic impacts in the region? This is the goal of the 100% Fish initiative that was recently launched by the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP), with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a partner.

Much of the water in Illinois may be frozen in February; however, underneath that ice is an active fish population. These fish are crucial to rejuvenating the commercial fishing industry and advancing sustainability within Illinois and the larger Great Lakes region. Lake whitefish, yellow perch, walleye, and lake trout are some of the most common species fished from the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi and Illinois rivers are home to catfish, buffalo, carp, bass and shad.

40 + 60 = 100%

The most popular part of these fish, the “filet,” makes up about 40 percent of a fish – that is what usually ends up on our dinner plate. The other 60 percent is often sent to a landfill, needlessly releasing harmful greenhouse gases, or used as animal feed, or other low-value products. The 100% Fish initiative aims to turn that waste and low-value products into high-value products, like they do in Iceland.

Iceland pioneered the concept of 100% Fish, more than a decade ago and, since then, has grown its fish-dependent economy by identifying new uses for all parts of the fish. This has resulted in more sustainable fishing, additional jobs, greater economic activity in rural areas and cool new products. We are proud to partner with the Iceland Ocean Cluster and Matis, a research laboratory in Iceland, to learn from them and grow this initiative in the United States and Canada.

As part of this initiative, GSGP announced a 100% Fish pledge. Sixteen companies in the region, including Fortune Fish & Gourmet in Bensenville (DuPage County), have already signed on, committing that by 2025 they will productively using 100 percent of each commercially caught fish from the Great Lakes. This pledge allows for greater collaboration between processors, producers, and other fishery-adjacent businesses to explore and implement innovative applications for fish byproducts (more than 60 percent) to move up the value chain. Fish leather, for example, is the second strongest leather in the world and can replace traditional leather in various applications.

Beyond fish leather, we are currently developing lab-scale prototypes and assessing commercial viability of several products. For instance, collagen, extracted from fish skin and scales, can be used as a nutritional supplement for skin and joint health. Fish meal and oil can be derived from various fish parts and used as bouillon for soups. And protein hydrolysates, sourced from fish heads and bones, can be used as food additives.

Besides the 100% Fish research partners in Iceland, our team includes state and provincial regulatory agencies (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ontario and Wisconsin); Tribes and Inter-Tribal Organizations (Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission; and Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians); a binational treaty agency (Great Lakes Fishery Commission); and industry leaders (Motor City Seafood; Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association).

With these partners, we are also exploring the establishment of a regional ‘100% Fish Research and Development Center.’ Similar centers at the University of Illinois and elsewhere have successfully supported various industries, and we believe this approach would work for commercially caught fish as well.

The 100% Fish initiative is the first of its kind in the Great Lakes region. The initiative was initially developed to identify uses for bighead and silver carp to support management of these species in Illinois. Now focusing on commercial species in the Great Lakes, the 100% Fish initiative fits perfectly with regional goals in supporting historical, sustainable and profitable fisheries in the lakes. With its scalability, it is well-positioned to benefit other fish species and make a lasting impact on Illinois, as well as our regional economy and environment.

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David Naftzger is the Executive Director of the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. Based in the Chicago area, he leads the 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative. The initiative is financially supported by grants from the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association. Click here to learn more about GSGP’s work and to stay updated.