REGION – Esposende wants ‘Blue Project’ replicated nationally and internationally

The ‘Blue Project’, designed with the purpose of promoting better use of marine resources available on the North Atlantic Coast of Portugal, aiming at the sustainable growth of the blue economy, came to an end with the presentation of practical results, which the municipality of Esposende wants now see it replicated, not only locally, but nationally and internationally.

At an international congress, the Center for Biological Engineering, at the University of Minho, in Braga, announced that the ‘Blue Project’ created a fresh fish processing unit for the commercialization of sarrajão fillets, to serve in school canteens, in addition to having collaborated with R&D entities, namely in the use of food waste (from fish) in the development of new textile materials (from the skin) and other food products (from fish remains).

In addition to aiming to create value, scientific research and literacy in the blue economy, the project also allowed us to collaborate in the implementation of ocean literacy strategies, promoting fish consumption and reducing food waste, in a “true project of circular economy”.

“The main beneficiaries of this project are schools, municipalities, citizens and entities with activities related to this theme”, highlighted the vice-president of the Chamber of Esposende, Alexandra Roeger, in her intervention, integrating the panel that debated the perspectives future of the blue economy, towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

“It is intended that the results of the ‘Blue Project’ can be replicated not only at a local level, but also at a regional, national and international level”, highlighted Alexandra Roeger.

The ‘Blue Project’, integrated into a broader strategy, which encompasses the Food Sustainability Project – Generation S, has as one of its objectives the development of innovative and more sustainable food technology processes, particularly with regard to conservation methods .

CONSUMER PROOF

As part of this project, a consumer test was held on April 26th, with students from the 1st cycle of basic education, at the basic schools of Esposende and Forjães.

This activity was carried out by technicians/teachers from the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, covering around 250 students.

The test consisted of evaluating dishes where the main product was Sarrajão fish. The dishes presented by the two schools were: sarrajão rice and sarrajão pasta, resulting in a meal “very well” received by the students.

INDUSTRIAL COMPONENT

The ‘Blue Project’ was promoted by Guimarpeixe, integrating the industrial component in the area of ​​food technology, it also involved Tintex which, in the textile area, promoted the use of waste in the manufacture of textile materials, and the University of Minho and the Institute Polytechnic of Viana do Castelo who continued the partnership they maintain with the municipality of Esposende and which, in this project, covered the component of scientific development, with direct transfer of knowledge and its applicability to everyday life.

The Portuguese Business Association and Visual Thinking also joined this consortium, as well as Matis, a public body in Iceland that supported the c with contributions in the area of ​​food safety and public health.

The ‘Blue Project’ was funded by EEA Grants, a financial mechanism funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.