Frequently Asked Questions
Have Questions About Fish Leather?
Below you'll find some answers to the most common questions you may have regarding Maugro's fish leather. If you still cant find the answer your looking for just contact us and we'd be happy to help.
What is fish leather?
Fish leather is a natural, sustainable, and biodegradable material produced by tanning the skins of harvested fish that would otherwise be considered a waste product of the food and fishing industries making it an eco-friendly alternative to conventional leathers.
Is fish leather strong and durable?
Yes, fish leather is surprisingly strong, it can be up to 9 times or more stronger than traditional cow leather of the same thickness. This exceptional tensile strength is due to the unique, dense, cross-fibre structure of fish skin, which acts like a basket weave and resists tearing.
Does fish leather smell like fish?
No, fish leather does not have a fishy smell. The fishy odour comes from the fats and oils, which are removed during the initial degreasing and tanning process. The final product has a characteristic leather scent similar to cowhide.
Are your fish skins sustainably sourced?
Our fish skins are all sourced from fish that are caught within a 40 year old Western Australian sustainable managed fishery initiative and are the reason behind the evolution of our leathergoods business. Maugro was formed around a desire to utilise a previously discarded by-product of the fishing industry and has allowed us to lower environmental impacts and increase sustainability.
What is the 'lateral line' of the fish?
Wherever possible we try to incorporate and highlight the lateral line of the fish in our products . The lateral line is a sensory organ that runs down both sides of the fish's body and is integral to their existence, detecting vibrations and pressure changes in the water. This helps them navigate, locate prey, and avoid predators and is a crucial tool, especially in murky water where vision is limited.
Did you Know?
All barramundi are born male and then change to females to reproduce as they age and grow, this process is called 'protandrous hermaphroditism'. They can also eat prey up to 60% of their own length...
