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Description
The Blue Project, funded under the Blue Growth Programme, was born with the purpose of taking advantage of the Marine Resources available on the North Atlantic Coast of Portugal to increase value creation, the sustainable growth of the blue economy, scientific research, and people''s literacy in Blue Economy.
It is aware of the need to change attitudes and behaviors towards a more conscious, informed, and sustainable choice of products, that Guimarpeixe saw a good opportunity in the use of the ''Sarrajão'' species to develop an entire strategy focused on sustainability, in its broadest sense, and on people, from the scientific community to industry, workforce, politics and civil society.
Based on this, the Blue Project intends will create a fresh fish processing unit for the commercialization of the ''Sarrajão'' fillets in school canteens, to collaborate with R&D entities and use fish leftovers to create textile materials (from the skin) and other food products (from the remaining leftovers) and to help municipalities to implement ocean literacy strategies.
The main beneficiaries of this project are schools, municipalities, citizens, and entities with activities related to this thematic area.
With this propose, all entities of the consortium are actively engaged and collaborating on the implementation of the Blues Project, namely fish collection and characterisation, new product development and optimisation, consumer testing, communication and dissemination, and socio-economic impact assessment to deliver the whole process from fishing to marketing, a list of components in the product formulation, an IP application, a website, workshops, conferences, videos, and reports.
As it was conceived and created and is being implemented, the Blue Project has all the potential to achieve the results it seeks and thus be able to be replicated not only at a local level, but also at a regional, national, and international level with all the benefits that are implied.
Summary of project results
Blue Project explores the concept of circular and blue economy, in a total synergy between the promoter and the various project partners, from the use of Atum Bonito fish, which is abundant on the North Atlantic coast. Considering that, so far, its nutritional qualities are not yet recognized and used, the project proposes to create a fresh fish processing unit, which will allow the skinning, filleting, definition of the best method to preserve the freshness of the fish, packaging and marketing. Equally important, a by-product will be generated and later reused for textile research.
The Blue Project also aims to educate towards sustainability and promote a change in attitude and behavior in the face of current world problems, to prepare citizens to have a conscious, dynamic and informed citizenship in the face of current problems for the future. Fully integrated with emerging environmental concerns, this partnership recognizes that health and the promotion of well-being must occupy a central place in the policies of territories and communities.
In this context, Blue Project aims:
- To promote healthy and environmentally conscious food choices;
- To create synergies that promote the consumption of local and seasonal products;
- contribute to a collaborative economy and sustainable consumption, based on the context of school canteens in the municipality of Esposende and with potential for replication, namely in the educational context of families;
- reduce food waste;
- To implement awareness and education actions for food sustainability with the active collaboration of schools, private institutions of social solidarity and other players directly linked to the context of the network of school canteens in the municipality and exploring potential consumers at national and international level within the scope of the project.
The Blue Project was able to promote a change in attitudes and behaviour in the face of current global problems, educating consumers to make conscious, informed and sustainable choices. By promoting local fishing, it aims to involve the scientific community, industry and society in a bold and much-needed project:
• Introducing consumers to an alternative species of fish - Atlantic Bonito.
• Promotion of healthy and sustainable food consumption practices and habits among a new generation of consumers.
• Improving health and well-being of the local communities.
• Access to nutritious food and sustainable practices can enhance the quality of life for local residents.
• Encouraging competitiveness and innovation among stakeholders.
• Creation of employment opportunities in the fishing, processing, and distribution sectors.
• Commitment with the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 Agenda of the United Nations: 2 - Zero Hunger, 3 - Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-being for All at All Stages, 4 - Quality Education, 10 - Reduced Inequalities, 12- Responsible Consumption and Production, and 14 - Life Below Water.
• Growth of Investment (hours and amounts) in internal training of employees to participate in the project.
• Scientific publications inherent to the project
• Feasibility of applying the scientific results obtained in future research or related projects
• Very important research work to achieve goals and develop innovative solutions
• Impact of participation in the project on municipal policies
• Image and reputation in the area of sustainability of the municipality
• Improving the quality of life of citizens
• Involvement of schools in the municipality where children had the opportunity to participate in the project
• The Blue Project implemented food literacy strategies, with the aim of promoting fish consumption and reducing food waste.
• Students from primary schools in Esposende and Forjães had the opportunity to evaluate some dishes in which the main product was sarrajão fish.
• This innitiative in schools intend to be continued, in order to promote good nutrition in children.
• Adoption of blue and circular economy practices.
• Increase the fishing communities income and the fishing sector''s contribution to the national economy.
• Strengthening the local economy by explore and innovate through a local natural resource.
• Economic exploitation of surpluses, transforming waste into sub-products.
• By utilizing leftovers from sarrajão fish and creating new products, the project can generate additional income streams for stakeholders.
• Supporting local businesses and promoting sustainable practices can enhance economic resilience in the region.
• Strengthening the value chain can lead to greater competitiveness, market access, and economic growth.
• Growth of Guimarpeixe''s investment in the Innovation area due to participation in the project.
• Positioning of developed products on the market
• Reducing ocean waste
• Reducing food waste
• Promote sustainability and the circular economy
• Promotion of food literacy
• Development of new products from food by-products to reduce waste.
• Implementation of awareness-raising and education actions for food sustainability.
• Conscientious management of local fishing activity to ensure environmental sustainability.
The socioeconomic impact of the Blue Project is varied, encompassing aspects such as job creation, economic growth, stimulation of the local economy, value chain development, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. By promoting sustainable practices and economic opportunities, the project has the potential to create lasting positive effects on the socio-economic fabric of the region. The intelligent exploitation of surpluses reflects the focus on a circular and blue economy approach, positioning the project as a reference for sustainable practices and resource recovery. Thus, the social and economic benefits unleashed by this project complement each other, responding effectively to current needs, but also standing out by anticipating and positively influencing future social and economic challenges.
The consistent alignment with global sustainability objectives not only validates, but also amplifies the relevance and positive influence of this project. The Blue Project stands out as a reference, actively contributing to building a more equitable and sustainable future, where the principles of innovation, environmental responsibility and positive impact converge in an inspiring way. The final results of the project, as well as its entire development process, can be found at: https://blueproject.guimarpeixe.pt/
Summary of bilateral results
Matis'' participation contributed to the development of activities in the school context, with actions being developed in several schools in the municipality of Esposende, as well as for university students at the Instituto Politecnico de Viana do Castelo.Considering that food education must begin at home, schools play a fundamental role in food literacy and in the development of healthy eating attitudes and behaviors. Therefore, the bilateral contribution was very important, for sharing experiences and methodologies.In addition, and with regard to the transfer of knowledge, it is also important to highlight the relationships established between Matis and the University of Minho and the Instituto Politecnico de Viana do Castelo, with regard to marine biotechnology.