Lake To Plate (L2P)​​

Unlocking regional bioeconomy through the commercial valorisation and sustainable use of underutilised fish resources​​​​​​

Core Focus


Lake To Plate develops a roadmap that turns underutilised, low-trophic fish biomass into local economic value while restoring lake ecology, piloted at Lake Burtnieks. Combining ecological assessment, Living Lab pilots and market testing, the project links restoration to short local food chains. Key outputs include one to two fish product prototypes, viable value chains and an L2P roadmap aligned with green public procurement. ​​​​​​​

Challenge


The region faces linked environmental, economic and institutional gaps. Eutrophication management ignores internal nutrient recycling driven by overabundant low-trophic fish, which make up over 80% of the biomass in Lake Burtnieks. Those fish are excluded from commercial chains, leaving a fragile mono-product fishery; consumer awareness is low and management is split across environmental, fisheries and recreational mandates.​​​​​​

Key Activities

  • Recruit stakeholders and run baseline socio-economic surveys.​
  • Assess ecosystem impacts and set aligned fishing guidelines.​
  • Pilot one to two product prototypes in schools and restaurants.​
  • Run willingness-to-pay studies with consumers.​
  • Map financing instruments and design the final L2P roadmap​

Communities Engaged

  • Fisheries / aquaculture / blue economy​
  • River basin & inland water communities​
  • Local finance & impact investors​
  • Enterprises for inclusion & skills​
  • Local Action Groups (CLLD)​
  • Waterfront cities & regional authorities​
  • Conservation & environmental protection​

Project info

  • Funding instrument: Transition Agendas​

  • Lead partner: Freshwater Solutions (Latvia)

  • Consortium members:
    • Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (LV)
    • Valmiera County Municipality (LV)

  • Project Budget: €100.000,00

  • Country of implementation: Latvia

  • Project duration: Up to 18 months