| Abstract |
The utilization of dead or discarded fish, slaughter and processing waste from the aquaculture industry has increased significantly over the last decade; this is up from about 17 % in 1988 to more than 97 % in 1998. Presently, an annual by-product volume of about 110,000 t (1999) is mainly utilized for ingredients in concentrate feed for livestock, as feed for fur animals and for manufacturing of oil. Amino acids, flavours, consumption products (heads, etc.) are also produced. A total quantity of about 550,000 t by-products was produced in 1998 from commercial fisheries of cod, saithe, haddock, etc (Gadids), and herring, mackerel and shrimps. Almost 70 % was recycled for production of meal and protein concentrate (silage), or preserved frozen for utilization as feed ingredients for animals and fish. The bulk of un-exploited by-products, about 170,000 t, is dumped from cod fishing boats off the coast. Recycling and utilization of aquaculture and fisheries by-products represents a total added value of more than US$100 million a year. By-products for human consumption, such as roe, cod-liver oil, extracts, etc., constitutes nearly one half of the added value but less than one tenth of the volume (c. 50,000 t). An enhanced utilization of by-products for manufacturing of ingredients in feed for fish farming and, not at least, for developing of better priced ingredients for the international "life science" market (pharmaceutics, cosmetics, functional food, etc) is considered of great potential for added value. Within 5 – 10 years, the value of the by-products can exceed the existing value of the totally produced quantity of fish fillet. Rubin is a Norwegian foundation established in 1992 aimed to contribute to a better utilization of fish by-products. Initially, RUBIN focused on attempts to solve environmental waste problems, but the focus in recent years has been more to strengthen value added and alternative commercial usage of the by-products. |
Helge Bergslien
