31 July 2025
Sealord’s business development team has been full steam ahead developing new products from fish waste. Sealord last year secured over $2 million from the Ministry for Primary Industry’s (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund to support work developing and launching garden fertiliser and petfood products made from fish by-products.
Sealord’s GM Sustainability Stu Yorston says the aim is to maximise value from fish by-products while reducing waste, supporting both sector growth and marine environmental protection. “This work directly supports our broader goal of growing the seafood sector in an environmentally responsible and commercially viable way.”
First cab off the rank in the four-year Fish Waste Optimisation agreement with MPI is NAKED Organic Fertiliser— made from fishmeal fortified with seaweed. See article on Stuff.co.nz about the launch of Naked here: Fish waste to help gardens grow | The Press
Backed by research and developed in partnership with Lincoln Agritech, Naked can help supercharge plant growth. Trials have consistently shown impressive results, with healthier leaves, stronger roots, and better overall development than similar products.
Naked is available online and via retail distribution with major chains like Mitre 10 and The Warehouse. The team is currently exploring commercial application for the fertiliser, with distribution planned for NZ and potentially Australia.
Sealord is also aiming to launch a premium 100% fish petfood in Asia in 2026, focussing on the large petfood markets of South Korea and Taiwan initially. The premium petfood for cats and dogs, called Skipper, has several products in its range including canned food, a premium air-dried kibble (which is moister and higher protein than conventionally dried petfood) and a freeze-dried whole fish range. The release of the products will be staged.
Sealord’s GM Sustainability Stu Yorston says it makes sense to develop new consumer goods from the by-products of Sealord’s sustainably harvested fish species.
“We utilise over 99% of the fish currently with the main by-product (after filleting) being fish meal. However, these new products will help deliver better yields and higher prices.
“New Zealand’s deepwater fisheries are a clean, bountiful source of seafood rich in essential nutrients. Sustainability is at the heart of our business and these business development projects are just some of the ways we are working smarter in this space.”