Upcycling fish waste into sustainable bait.

An advanced binding technology converts fish waste into high-value, ocean-friendly lobster bait 

The Opportunity

The lobster bait industry is facing several challenges. Wild caught herring that has traditionally been used as bait is not sustainable, is increasingly regulated and has become a costly and unstable source. The industry is seeking a solution that is cost-effective and ocean-friendly to address increasing governmental regulations. 

The Challenge

BioPolyNet’s unique BioNanoCoil technology provides a potential binding solution for a range of industries. They realized that it could be used to bind lower value fish waste in ocean-safe bait pucks to attract lobsters. The lobster industry can be reluctant to adopt new technology so it was crucial that the sustainable bait pucks be proven effective in their real-ocean environment. 

NPC’s Solution

NPC and BioPolyNet worked with fishing industry partners to design a thorough field trial during active lobster season. NPC provided $114,080 to validate the right formulation of bait, and its durability in the on-boat and in-trap lobster fishing process. The results were impressive. The bait  held up during the process and attracted the lobsters as effectively as traditional baits. The field trials led to BioPolyNet’s first commercial contracts with the fishing industry. As an added benefit, the trials proved that BioPolyNet’s platform binding technology has potential for many other industries such as agricultural inputs.