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Contaminants Research

Wild caught Alaskan fish come from some of the most pristine waters on the globe. However, human induced contaminants such as fish waste, hydrocarbons from oil spills, and outbreaks of naturally produced marine toxins, like paralytic shellfish poisons, may occur.

Fish Tech, partnering with industry affiliates and governmental agencies, is becoming involved in addressing concerns about contaminants. Scientists working on these efforts will do research in the new 45,000 sq. ft. Kodiak Fishery Research Center located adjacent to Fish Tech on Near Island, Kodiak.

Ongoing projects include the development of new technology to produce high protein feeds for livestock and aquaculture from fish waste. We are also beginning a collaboration with scientists from UC Davis to determine the effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysates made from fish waste as a nitrogen source in biogas generation. The biogas could be used to lower electrical costs at remote locations.

In collaboration with colleagues from Fairbanks, we are also testing new methods to determine the levels of the microbe that produces PSP in local waters. Planned analyses of how sea otters avoid consuming PSP contaminated clams.