The aim of the research is to elaborate the competitiveness assessment system for fisheries sector cluster, using which it could be possible to assess the competitiveness of fisheries sector cluster in time and space. On the basis of scientific literature study, the authors provide solutions of how to assess the competitiveness of the fisheries sector cluster. As a result of analysis, it was discovered that the best way to assess the competitiveness of the fisheries sector cluster is by using a comprehensive complex indicator – the Index of the Fisheries Sector Cluster Competitiveness. The created Index of the Fisheries Sector Cluster Competitiveness helps the institutions involved in the creation of fisheries policy more successfully elaborate and improve the common policy of fisheries.

In the fish processing sector, the further exploitation of by-products and wastes left after industrial production promotes sustainability of raw materials, access to added value and increased profitability, as well as contributes to environmental protection by reducing the volume of dumped products. Besides obvious value-added features, it also addresses the clear market demand dictated by prospects of the population growth. Given the limitations for further expansion of the husbandry sector, fish-based items available for human consumption represent a major avenue for coping with the pressing demands of increased population and enable the development of innovative food items of high nutritional importance. Current research is focused on the analysis of fish processing by-product utilization possibilities available up to date and introduces empirical findings of innovative food product development made on the basis of by-products left after traditional canned “Sprats in oil” production. In Latvia, “Sprats in oil” production is an integral part of fish processing sector and the rural economy overall. The production accounts for at least 30% of raw material left as by-products (smoked heads and, in some cases, tails) after such technological stage as smoked sprats processing into cans. Efforts were made to prepare value-added and attractive to customer food product made out of this fish-processing by-products, which are typically processed to a fishmeal or just dumped as waste. The study demonstrates a strong potential for its utilization to a range of fish pâté with various flavours and of high nutritious value.

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the technologies, available to the Latvia’s sector of fish processing and their utilized capacity, as well as to identify the factors influencing production process, providing recommendations for development and improvement of further policy of the sector. The author evaluated availability and utilized capacity of production technologies in the Latvia’s sector of fish processing, considering the analysis of financial indicators of the made investments, production capacity load and fish processing companies. In view of economic theory, the factors, influencing the production process of Latvia’s sector of fish processing, were defined. As a result of analysis, the author established that the development of production of Latvia’s fish processing sector is to a great extent influenced by the availability of human resources, raw materials and investments, as well as undertaking. For further development and policy planning of the sector it would be advisable to take into account these factors, influencing the production process of Latvia’s sector of fish processing and their changes. The formed combinations of indicators may be used in scientific researches on establishment of production technologies availability and their utilized capacity, and identification of factors, influencing the production process; they may facilitate researches for its calculation and importance, as well as may assist the institutions involved in the fisheries’ policy formation to work more successfully and improve the common policy in the field.

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the technologies, available to the Latvia’s sector of fish processing and their utilized capacity, as well as to identify the factors influencing production process, providing recommendations for development and improvement of further policy of the sector. The author evaluated availability and utilized capacity of production technologies in the Latvia’s sector of fish processing, considering the analysis of financial indicators of the made investments, production capacity load and fish processing companies. In view of economic theory, the factors, influencing the production process of Latvia’s sector of fish processing, were defined. As a result of analysis, the author established that the development of production of Latvia’s fish processing sector is to a great extent influenced by the availability of human resources, raw materials and investments, as well as undertaking. For further development and policy planning of the sector it would be advisable to take into account these factors, influencing the production process of Latvia’s sector of fish processing and their changes. The formed combinations of indicators may be used in scientific researches on establishment of production technologies availability and their utilized capacity, and identification of factors, influencing the production process; they may facilitate researches for its calculation and importance, as well as may assist the institutions involved in the fisheries’ policy formation to work more successfully and improve the common policy in the field.