Ohio Aquaculture Company Joins International Effort That Seeks to Use 100% of Each Fish

(Bethel, OH)—Big Fish Farms, an Ohio-based aquaculture company known for its innovative, eco-friendly approach to raising freshwater fish, has joined the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge. As the 42nd company to sign on, Big Fish Farms adds momentum to a growing movement to ensure that every part of each fish caught, raised, or processed in the Great Lakes region is fully used and not wasted.

Founded on the belief that aquaculture can be a regenerative source, Big Fish Farms ranches its fish in large inland lakes in the Midwest. A low stocking density allows the fish to “free range” on the plentiful zooplankton available in those environments. In many ways it is the perfect morph between aquaculture and wild fisheries. No commercial feed, antibiotics or hormones are used. The company has pioneered a model focused on both environmental stewardship and high-quality, traceable products.

As part of the pledge, Big Fish Farms will work alongside other members to promote the full use of each fish caught, raised, or processed in the Great Lakes. This includes helping to raise awareness of opportunities for innovative applications for fish byproducts, including compost, fertilizer, protein, marine collagen, leather, or other new, high-value products.

The pledge is part of the 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative created by the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP), an organization representing the Governors of the Great Lakes States and the Canadian Premiers of Ontario and Québec.

“The future of sustainable seafood is circular,” said David Naftzger, Executive Director of the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP). “Big Fish Farms is proving that aquaculture can be both clean and creative, turning what might otherwise be discarded into new products, new jobs, and new value for the region.”

The Great Lakes region is home to growing aquaculture operations and sizeable commercial fisheries, but only about 40% of each fish (the fillets) are usually eaten. In contrast, the remaining 60% of the fish is often relegated to inexpensive uses or discarded. The 100% Great Lakes Fish initiative seeks new and innovative ways to fully use each fish to reduce waste, create more value and jobs, and support rural economic development. Iceland pioneered this approach and has seen the value of products made from each cod skyrocket from $12 for just the filet to a remarkable $5,000 for products including cosmetics, medical bandages, nutritional supplements, and a range of other products.

“We raise our fish with integrity, and we believe in using everything we produce,” said Renee Koerner, Founder of Big Fish Farms. “Joining the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge is a natural fit for our values, and we’re excited to collaborate with others across the region who are rethinking how we define waste.”

More information on 100% Great Lakes Fish, including a copy of the Pledge, is available at htps://gsgp.org/projects/100-great-lakes-fish/.