The Port of Astoria continues to advance its plans for a Byproduct Recovery Center (“BRC”) to support the seafood processing industry, enhance environmental sustainability and improve regulatory compliance. The facility is being designed with state-of-the-art technology to receive process water and extract usable byproducts, such as fish oils and proteins, for potential reuse. The BRC’s operating technology will improve environmental outcomes and ensure sustainable fisheries while providing a significant investment in the local economy.

On August 20, 2024, the Port Commission approved a proposal for SLR International to complete a Feasibility Study (“FS”) for a BRC to be located on Pier 2. In tandem with this, the Port contracted with Aqua-Terra Consultants (“ATC”) to conduct a Treatability Study (“TS”), which evaluates various treatment technologies to determine the most effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly methods for utilizing seafood processing “wastewater” as a valuable resource.

January 28, 2025 Update

As part of ongoing outreach and collaboration, the Port, in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure and with the support of Business Oregon, hosted a series of meetings and sessions on January 16 and 17, 2025. During these sessions, experts from Denmark shared insights on innovative approaches to industrial symbiosis and resource recovery. These discussions facilitated meaningful exchanges of ideas on how the Port, seafood processors and regional industry may overcome logistical and regulatory hurdles to make the BRC a reality.

Together with Bornstein Seafoods and Da Yang Seafoods, the Port is working closely with ATC and SLR International to develop solutions that efficiently treat water disposed of by seafood processors. This approach aligns with industrial symbiosis principles as it evaluates current “waste” streams as valuable, unrealized resources.   The success of the BRC would not only address critical environmental and regulatory challenges but would also mark a significant milestone by pioneering a model of industrial symbiosis in the region.