USDA Agricultural Research Service

Converting Alaska Fish by-Products into Value Added Ingredients and Products

The Alaskan fishing industry produces over one million metric tons of by-product and waste annually. This material has potential value as a protein and natural products source but is only minimally used. This study seeks to document and characterize the various sources and existing secondary products and to develop new and higher value materials for feed ingredients for animal (agriculture and aquatic) feed.

Currently almost all of the fishery waste from large processors is converted to low value, high ash meal for sale abroad. Meal production is considered a cost of doing business and has not yet become recognized as a significant source of revenue. Much of the waste from smaller processors is disposed using the grind and dump method. Recent regulatory changes requiring 100 % utilization of cod and pollock make the development of best-use end products urgent.

Current Investigators

Peter Bechtel, Food Technologist, Lead Scientist (USDA/ARS)
Cindy Bower, Food Technologist (USDA/ARS)
Scott Smiley, Biochemist and Food Scientist (UAF/FITC)
Ronald Hardy, Aquaculture Nutritionist (Univ. Idaho)

Past Investigators

Mike Rust - NMFS Northwest Science Center
Ian Forster, Aquaculture Nutritionist
Warren Dominy, Feed Manufacturing Technology
Leonard Obaldo, Biological and Agricultural Engineer