New research has confirmed Alaska pollock's status as a low carbon emission-producing protein.
The findings were presented at the seventh annual meeting of the Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), held 18 September in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. Dalhousie University Professor Peter Tyedmers spoke about the comprehensive life cycle assessment he conducted of the 2024 fishing year within the Alaska pollock fishery, which showed an 18 percent decrease in emissions from the previous year.
“This is a very low climate impact sector. Alaska pollock has one of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of any protein,” Tyedmers said.
Tyedmers conducted the research with support from Michelle Mann, a graduate student in Dalhousie’s Environmental Studies Program. It consisted of what GAPP called “an in-depth examination of the carbon emission for the products made from Alaska pollock, including fillets, surimi, roe, minced fish meal, and fish oil.”
Tyedmers added that he was impressed the fishery had improved so dramatically.
“When you look at the comparison charts, it’s hard to even fit the low impact of Alaska pollock on the same chart with other proteins – especially with this latest, even lower, number," he said.
In a release about the news, GAPP CEO Craig Morris said that the findings were emblematic of the dedication of the fishers and processors of the Alaska pollock sector, who are committed to the “continuous improvement” of the fishery and its related industries.
GAPP Director of Industry Relations Ron Rogness oversaw Tyedmers’ research, which drew on a previous assessment conducted on behalf of GAPP by Quantis International in 2022. Rogness said that Tydemers was “one of the world’s foremost authorities regarding the energy and related environmental performance of seafood systems.”
“These results show that in addition to leading the global fishing industry in sustainable management, full utilization, and habitat protection, the Alaska pollock fishery is a great environmental choice for protein consumers around the world,” he said.
