The information and promotional campaign Very Valuable “Low-Value” Fish has been underway since July 2024. The project aims to raise consumer awareness of native fish species, with a particular focus on so-called “low-value” fish – species traditionally considered to have limited economic value.
The project team will also be present at the 18th International Fish and Food Fair POLFISH, taking place from 9 to 11 September at the AMBEREXPO Exhibition and Congress Centre in Gdańsk.
The aim of Very Valuable “Low-Value” Fish is to raise awareness of the benefits of eating fish. Poland’s consumption is low by European standards – under 14 kg per capita a year, almost half the EU average, of which freshwater fish are only about 2 kg. The campaign therefore teaches consumers to add fish from inland fisheries and aquaculture to everyday diets. “Low-value” species include roach (Rutilus rutilus), common bream (Abramis brama) and European perch (Perca fluviatilis). Although the name may suggest inferior quality, the campaign stresses that these are fully valuable products, matching the nutrition and culinary potential of prized species such as pike-perch and eel.
Over three years the project runs a range of promotional, event and educational activities. These include family picnics, festivals and open-air events with fishing competitions, tasting zones with culinary stages and performances by local artists. A key figure is Mikołaj Rey – ambassador of Polish cuisine and a finalist of the first MasterChef Poland – who hosts live cooking demonstrations with tastings.
The educational strand includes virtual tours of water bodies, audio recordings for lessons, mobile learning trails and educational materials. The campaign also visits schools, where renowned experts lead sessions, while young people can join workshops in professional catering facilities led by experienced chefs. In this way future culinary professionals discover the value of native freshwater fish from Poland’s inland waters.
POLFISH is a long-standing event for the fish industry, and the Very Valuable “Low-Value” Fish team will be there to continue its mission. At the stand marked with the project logo, visitors can learn about completed and planned activities and taste freshly prepared dishes from the project’s culinary team. The project is made possible by funding from the European Funds for Fisheries programme; its beneficiaries are the Poznań and Radom Districts of the Polish Angling Association, supported by Poznań University of Life Sciences, the Poznań University of Physical Education, the National Council of Gastronomy and Catering, and the Jeden Uniwersytet Foundation.
Visit POLFISH 2026 and discover the Very Valuable Low-Value Fish campaign at our stand.
