[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/fish-waste-valorization-cuban-aquaculture\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/fish-waste-valorization-cuban-aquaculture\/","headline":"Turning Fish Waste into Feed: The Cuban Aquaculture Revolution","name":"Turning Fish Waste into Feed: The Cuban Aquaculture Revolution","description":"Enhancing the value of fish processing waste by transforming it into valuable resources for feed production\u2014thus improving the efficiency of the Cuban aquaculture chain\u2014is the milestone achieved in the city of Sancti Sp\u00edritus by the Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Sciences and Technologies (DAGRI) of the University of Florence. The project was developed […]","datePublished":"2025-10-24","dateModified":"2025-10-24","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/author\/comunicato-stampa\/#Person","name":"Redazione","url":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/author\/comunicato-stampa\/","identifier":2217,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2d27b5a1a7cf9a003c987f35693dd7fe345733443eaa68034a2ee9e92782e25d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2d27b5a1a7cf9a003c987f35693dd7fe345733443eaa68034a2ee9e92782e25d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/pesceinrete.png","url":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/pesceinrete.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Turning-Fish-Waste-into-Feed-The-Cuban-Aquaculture-Revolution.png","url":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Turning-Fish-Waste-into-Feed-The-Cuban-Aquaculture-Revolution.png","height":375,"width":640},"url":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/fish-waste-valorization-cuban-aquaculture\/","about":["Overseas"],"wordCount":464,"keywords":["AICS","Blue Economy","circular economy","Cuban aquaculture","environmental sustainability","fish processing innovation","fish waste recycling","GEIA","IPEPAC project","Italian Cooperation","MINAL Cuba","sustainable aquaculture","sustainable feed production","University of Florence"],"articleBody":"Enhancing the value of fish processing waste by transforming it into valuable resources for feed production\u2014thus improving the efficiency of the Cuban aquaculture chain\u2014is the milestone achieved in the city of Sancti Sp\u00edritus by the Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Sciences and Technologies (DAGRI) of the University of Florence. The project was developed in collaboration with Cuba\u2019s Ministry of Food Industry (MINAL), the Grupo Empresarial de la Industria Agroalimentaria (GEIA), and the fishery company PESCASPIR. It marks the culmination of extensive research and field experimentation aimed at securing sustainable protein sources for animal nutrition in a context challenged by embargo restrictions and limited raw materials.Funded by the Italian Cooperation (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation \u2013 MAECI, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation \u2013 AICS), the IPEPAC Project (Enhancement of Productivity and Efficiency of Agro-Industrial Processing in Cuba, also through Environmental Protection and Loss Reduction) led to the creation of a processing line capable of handling up to 10 tons of fish residues per day\u2014heads, skins, bones, tails, and viscera. These materials are transformed into silage through an acidification process and blended with flours to produce animal feed, increasing yields sustainably and locally.This innovative circular economy model is now ready to be replicated across the island to meet protein needs and improve lipid intake\u2014both essential for fish health and, consequently, for the Cuban population\u2019s nutrition.To share the results of the project, launched in 2019 with GEIA, a public event will be held on October 28 at the Hotel Plaza in Sancti Sp\u00edritus, offering an opportunity to showcase this initiative as a pilot model for freshwater and marine fisheries, adaptable to other regions.Armando Guerra Borr\u00e1s, Cuban project director from GEIA, emphasized:\u201cThe strength of the project lies in creating a local resource network that allows Cuban aquaculture to become self-sufficient. Transforming food industry by-products into feed reduces environmental impact and ensures independence from imported raw materials.\u201dGiuliana Parisi, DAGRI professor and project coordinator, added:\u201cOur goal was to increase fish availability in Cuba, a country with significant potential in this area. In the future, even saltwater aquaculture could expand. This project can be replicated in other regions to boost access to healthy and sustainable food. A special thanks to AICS, not only for financial support but for acting as a vital bridge with our Cuban partners.\u201dResearcher Francesco Garbati concluded:\u201cWe\u2019ve all learned something valuable from this project. We developed something original that can serve as a benchmark for similar initiatives worldwide, starting from Cuba itself. Despite technical and logistical challenges, Cuban engineers demonstrated outstanding skill and adaptability, mastering the techniques and technology we introduced.\u201dStay updated with the most relevant news in the seafood industry\u2014subscribe to our weekly newsletter.NEWSLETTER"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Turning Fish Waste into Feed: The Cuban Aquaculture Revolution","item":"https:\/\/www.pesceinrete.com\/fish-waste-valorization-cuban-aquaculture\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]