A persistent battle rages against anisakisl parasites found in the intestines of fish, a challenge that continues even as crews live and work on the high seas. Numerous initiatives have aimed to stop these parasites from reproducing after the catch passes from the fisherman’s nets to the processing stage, preventing contaminated seafood from reaching consumers. The most recent major effort began more than two years ago, led by the EnergyLab technology center and the Vigo Shipowners Cooperative (ARVI). Their objective is to develop a system that recycles heat from ship engines to power a process that neutralizes parasites before the internal organs are returned to the sea, with a name that has become synonymous with the project itself. The machine has now reached a critical milestone: supporters have completed development and construction, and it is slated for installation on a coastal trawler next month to undergo sea trials.
Scientific authorities have highlighted the scope of the problem. Through the project focused on interference, it is estimated that more than 3,000 million viable larvae of this parasite are discharged into the sea each year with evisceration operations.
A member of ARVI’s research and development team explains the concept: the system relies on inertia to neutralize anisakis using the residual heat generated by the engines of fishing vessels. The design and construction have involved the Basque company Enerbasque, which is currently completing the final touches ahead of official testing.
The project is built on two central pillars. One is improving energy efficiency on ships while keeping the equipment simple, robust, and easy for crews to operate. The other pillar targets solving the anisakis problem itself. AARVI ship that recently arrived in Galicia will carry the developed system for trials. The coastal trawler New San Gibran, about 27 meters long and based in Marín, is scheduled to test whether the approach performs reliably and can be scaled into a marketable product. Members of CSIC participate in validation, alongside EnergyLab and ARVI, to confirm practical use.
The overarching aim is to reduce waste of energy when addressing this parasite challenge, while also boosting market confidence by improving product quality and environmental outcomes. The project is supported by a total investment of €79,000 and funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund through the Pleamar Programme, co-financed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition in collaboration with the Biodiversity Foundation.