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Robert Gordon University - Researchers look to develop new energy label for fish(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 22 August 2014 Release date- 21082014 - Researchers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) are developing a new eco-label for fish which details the amount of energy involved in the catching and processing of products. The project, which has used fish caught and processed in the Fraserburgh area as a case study, has found that catching and processing whitefish such as haddock uses up to three times more energy per tonne of fish caught than pelagic fish such as mackerel. Part of a wider European research project called e-harbours, the team, which spanned two of RGU's research institutes, undertook life cycle analysis and modelling of the amount of energy consumed at different stages of the fish production process, as well as an investigation of the design and use of eco-labels. The study found that to catch and process a tonne of haddock used 2898.4KWh - more than the amount of electricity used by the average household in 10 months - while catching and processing a tonne of mackerel used less than a third of that energy at 867.27KWh. For each, the catching stage was more energy intensive than the processing. Dr. Ebun Akinsete, of RGU's Institute for Innovation, Design and Sustainability (IDEAS), led the energy life-cycle element of the research and explained the difference in the energy usage between the two types of fish. She said: 'While the total amount of energy used to catch a pelagic fish like mackerel is greater than that used to catch whitefish like haddock, the significantly greater tonnage of fish caught by pelagic vessels results in a considerably lower KWh/tonne figure.' Dr Akinsete added: 'Sustainability in the fishing industry tends to be associated with bio-ecological elements such as fish stock levels, and issues such as energy had not been considered until recently so this study is really breaking new ground. 'There is huge scope in this area for more research, which could help fishermen see where they can perhaps be more energy efficient throughout the catching process.' The study also looked at the energy involved in the distribution process of fish. Processed haddock was distributed from Fraserburgh to another plant in the south of the England, before further processing or distribution to retail and food service customers, working out at almost 400 KWh per tonne. A lack of available data prevented a similar calculation to be made for mackerel, which is distributed both domestically and internationally, but one company said as little as 5 per cent of their mackerel catch was distributed domestically while another said 80 per cent was distributed to China, Russia and the Ukraine. The second strand of the project looked at the growth of eco-labels for food, as consumers become more conscious about the environmental impact of products. It looked to develop a label for fish detailing the amount of energy involved in the catching, processing and distribution stages, allowing consumers to make an informed choice about which fish has used the least energy and encouraging producers to improve their energy efficiency so that their products appear in a lower energy category. Dr Simon Burnett, of the university's Institute for Management, Governance and Society (IMaGeS), said: 'A general increase in public awareness of sustainability issues has led to a rise in research relating to supply chains and processes within the food industry, with specific reference to how activity in this industry impacts on the environment. 'Consumers are getting used to seeing a variety of labels on their food products. It's hoped that clearly presented information in the form of a fish energy label would encourage responsible consumer choices.' The research team has recommended that a wider study be carried out incorporating an entire life cycle analysis of fish, through to use and disposal. (c) 2014 Electronic News Publishing - |