Realizing the Potential of Scup: Producing, Certifying, and Marketing Refreshed Scup Fillets

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

In January 2019, the CFRF launched a project to develop a marketable seafood product from scup, an abundant, low value species in the northeast and mid-atlantic USA. The project will be approached collaboratively by a team of fishermen, fish processing companies, scientists, and culinary professionals, with the ultimate goal of developing a novel refreshed (previously frozen) scup fillet product that meets consumer demand, results in higher ex-vessel prices, and justifies expanded harvest of this underutilized species.

PROJECT components:

Timeline: January 2019 to March 2022
Develop the harvesting methods that produce the best scup for filleting, freezing, and refreshing.
Test the “freeze and fillet” and “fillet and freeze” methods to determine which produces the highest quality refreshed scup fillets.
Test three freezing techniques (batch freezer, plate freezer, Individual Quick Frozen) to determine which is the most effective for producing refreshed scup fillets.
Track the costs associated with processing, storing, and distributing refreshed scup fillets to estimate the final market price.
Monitor the efficiency of refreshed scup fillet production and estimate the total quantity of scup fillets available to the market.
Research uses and markets for scup processing byproducts.
Assess the shelf life and nutritional profile of refreshed scup fillets.
Conduct culinary evaluations of the organoleptic qualities of refreshed scup fillets in collaboration with chefs from Johnson and Wales University.
Complete a Fishery Improvement Project for scup to meet the criteria of large-scale retailers, such as Whole Foods.
Implement a marketing and traceability campaign to promote refreshed scup fillets to seafood buyers and consumers.
Conduct public tasting events of refreshed scup fillets to gather consumer feedback and increase awareness of locally harvested seafood.
Introduce refreshed scup fillets as a new product to the market.