Hanna Wroe's Research with Pacific Seafood
Industry: Food and Beverage
Project Type: Marine Debris
Location: Clackamas, OR
Major/University: B.E. Ecological Engineer, Oregon State University
Summary
Pacific Seafood is the only company in the world with four-star Best Aquaculture Practices certified oysters—a reflection of its strong commitment to sustainability. However, the use of polypropylene rope in oyster farming doesn’t fully align with these values. To help address this, Hanna investigated alternative materials and discovered that the current rope and mesh bags can be recycled. She also identified promising eco-friendly options that are now being explored for future use.
Company Background
Founded in 1941 by the Dulcich Family, Pacific Seafood is a family-owned and operated company dedicated to providing the healthiest protein on the planet. Pacific Seafood manages all parts of the supply chain from harvesting and fishing to processing, and distribution in order to provide customers with fresh, sustainable, high-quality products. Pacific Seafood Group is headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon and employs more than 3,000 team members across 41 facilities in 11 states.
Project Description
Hanna aimed to reduce marine debris from oyster farming at Pacific Seafood by exploring alternatives to polypropylene rope. She evaluated the viability of materials like wool, hemp, coir, recycled polypropylene, and metal. A healthy environment is essential for successful oyster farming. Replacing or recycling the rope and mesh bags is a key step toward protecting marine ecosystems and supporting the long-term sustainability of the farm and its operations.
Hanna suggested these changes for the company:
- A mobile baler will compress used rope and mesh bags, which will be recycled into pellets and turned into new materials—supporting a circular economy and reducing the need for virgin plastic.
- Small-scale tests on polypropylene rope will help determine strength and durability needs, making it easier to compare eco-friendly alternatives and ensure they meet farming requirements.
- While metal offers durability and reusability, it’s important to assess its behavior in saltwater and potential environmental impacts. Since current ropes aid in buoyancy, floats or other solutions would be needed, and adopting metal would require redesigning farming systems to support reusable longlines.
Estimated Annual Reductions
Hanna's recommendations could have the following annual impacts:
42,000 lbs
polypropylene to the landfill by recycling