Water is essential to every stage of fish processing — from cleaning and chilling to transporting and preserving seafood products. However, with global water resources under increasing pressure, rising regulatory demands, and growing environmental expectations, the fish processing industry faces serious challenges in managing water sustainably.

In this first blog out of four, we highlight the main water-related challenges fish processors encounter, why they matter, and how companies can adapt to remain compliant, responsible, and competitive.

High water consumption

Fish processing is one of the most water-intensive sectors in the food industry. Large volumes of water are used to wash raw fish, transport products through processing lines, clean equipment, and produce ice. A medium-sized processing plant may consume thousands of m3 daily, most of which become wastewater requiring treatment. In areas affected by water scarcity, this high consumption is becoming unsustainable. The challenge is to reduce water usage without compromising food safety, hygiene, and product quality.

Compliance with environmental regulations

Environmental legislation around water use, discharge, and sludge handling is tightening worldwide. Fish processors must now comply with increasingly detailed regulations on effluent quality, water consumption reporting, and environmental impact monitoring.

Adapting to these complexes, evolving regulatory landscapes demands continuous investment in infrastructure, upgraded treatment systems, and accurate water use monitoring. For many, the challenge lies in balancing compliance costs with operational profitability.

Rising operational costs

Water-related expenses are rising. In water-scarce regions, sourcing clean water is becoming more expensive, while increased energy prices and stricter treatment requirements further raise operational costs. Fish processors face higher expenses for water heating, cooling, treatment plant operation, maintenance, and potential fines for non-compliance.

The industry must optimize water use, minimize waste, and improve treatment efficiency to stay competitive without sacrificing environmental performance.

Climate change and water availability

Climate change is reshaping water availability patterns, with droughts, floods, and rising sea levels affecting freshwater resources. Many fish processing plants, especially those in coastal regions, face the additional risk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, increasing the difficulty and cost of securing clean processing water.

This growing uncertainty means fish processors must build resilience into their water management systems to safeguard operations against climate-related disruptions.

Limited technology and infrastructure

In developing regions, many fish processing facilities lack access to modern water-saving technologies or adequate wastewater treatment systems. This results in inefficient operations, higher pollution levels, and missed opportunities for water reuse.

Overcoming these challenges often requires significant investment in equipment and expertise, which can be difficult for smaller or resource-limited companies.

Growing public and stakeholder pressure

Consumers, investors, and regulators are increasingly aware of the seafood industry’s environmental impact, with water use and pollution among the top concerns. Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s a clear expectation.

Fish processors must align with international standards and certifications, such as MSC, ASC, or ISO 14001, to demonstrate responsible water management, protect their reputation, and meet market demands.