A new project is underway in the Galápagos Islands, aiming to revolutionise fish waste management and create sustainable business opportunities. To foster "Circular Communities," this initiative seeks to maximise resource efficiency, minimise waste, and promote sustainability in one of the world's most important ecosystems.
The core of the Circular Communities concept is extending products' life cycles through regenerative practices such as reuse, repair, renovation, and recycling. This approach maximises value while minimising environmental impact by creating closed-loop systems in which materials and resources are continually reused and regenerated.
Who are involved?
The project is a collaborative effort between numerous institutions, including the University of the Americas of Ecuador (UDLA), the Delft Centre of Entrepreneurship (DCE) of the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Circular Community Foundation, the Institute of Biology of Leiden University, and the Pelican Bay Fishing Cooperative of Galápagos Islands. IHS staff Laura Quadros Aniche represents IHS.
The initiative kicked off with workshops, interviews, and information-gathering sessions on fish waste management in Santa Cruz Island. Engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, including fishermen, restaurant owners, chefs, farmers, and local authorities, these sessions provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities surrounding the seafood system in the region.
What is the challenge?
The Galápagos seafood system faces various environmental and anthropogenic challenges that threaten the food security, economy, and well-being of the archipelago's inhabitants. Improper management of fish waste not only poses risks to water and soil quality but also has broader ecological implications, including the proliferation of invasive species and disruption of local ecosystems.
Additionally, the untapped potential of fish waste represents a lost economic opportunity for coastal communities. Through innovative approaches, however, such as the circular economy, fish waste and other organic matter can be transformed into valuable products, ranging from dietary supplements to organic plastics, thereby creating new income and employment opportunities.
The Circular Value Flower methodology
Developed by Dr Els Leclercq of the Circular Community Foundation, the Circular Value Flower methodology provides a framework for analysing and implementing circular initiatives at the community level. By focusing on closing product life cycles and maximizing value within the community, this approach holds the potential to drive transformative change and create a more sustainable future for the Galápagos Islands.
Our solution
Circular economy represents a solution by transforming fish waste and other wasted organic matter (waste from cows and pigs) into marketable products. Hence, the project represents a significant step towards addressing these challenges. “This would create economic incentives to implement a more efficient and responsible environmental management system, contributing to creating a circular community that is resilient and self-sufficient," - stated researcher Mauricio Castrejón, UDLA representative in the Galápagos.
“Collaboration between fishermen, academia, chefs, and entrepreneurs is essential to ensure the success and sustainability of such innovative initiatives," added Dra. Angela Díaz, innovation specialist at UDLA.