Fish Pellets from Leftover Protein and Starches

Fish Pellets Created from Leftover Protein and Starches

To effectively apply vertical integration and use the remaining Proteins and Starches in our process, the Community Bio-Refinery produces Fish Pellets that are nutritionally balanced fish meals. The proteins and starches become a valuable source of nutrition in the aquaculture/fish farming industry.

We are witnessing an expanding demand for nutritious fish meal and pellets in fisheries around the world. Currently, According to FISH WATCH U.S. Sea Food Facts, about half of those imports are from aquaculture (pond or farm-raised). The U.S. seafood trade deficit has grown to $16.8 billion in 2017. In the United States, marine aquaculture production increased an average of 3.3 percent per year from 2009-2014, however, globally, the U.S. remains a relatively minor aquaculture producer.

With a decreasing supply of fish available from the ocean's fisheries, there is a growing demand for safe and naturally-grown, farm-produced fish in the U.S. There is an excellent opportunity for anyone who can produce a reliable supply of fish products in domestic fisheries.

According to the Turner Tilapia Engineering Study and other aquaculture studies, the single most considerable cost in producing fish in indoor aquaculture operations is the fish meal pellets' cost.

The FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper states: Fishmeal is the single most important source of protein in fish feed. The increased cost of energy (due primarily to soaring petroleum prices), El Niño effects, and increasing demand have resulted in a global increase in fishmeal price. The world price for fishmeal ranged between US$500 and US$700 per ton during the period 2000–2005. In May 2008, the price of fishmeal was US$1 210 per ton.

This cost usually accounts for over 50% of the total cost to produce farm-raised fish. The highest expense in the fish meal/pellets is the cost of quality protein. Today, millions of pounds of nutritionally deficient fish meal that is inadequate are imported and into the United States Aquaculture industry from China, Malaysia, and India. This fish meal usually consists of unused fish parts and is ground-up to make a nutritionally deficient fish meal.

Aquaculture studies sponsored by Illinois State University/USDA tilapia feeding trials confirmed that the amino acid balance in feed rations has the most significant influence on feed to weight gain ratios. These ratios determine the amount of feed required to grow fish to grow fish effectively.

The second-largest cost in growing indoor aquaculture is usually thermal energy needed to heat the water. Warm water left over from upstream CBR processing is an excellent medium for the culture of aquaculture as well as the subsequent production of hydroponics using left-over fish manure as natural fertilizer, again producing safe and nutritious vegetables for the local community year-round. (Note: the largest cost of producing hydroponic vegetables is usually the fertilizers.) Finally, CBRs will generate substantial volumes of hydrogen which can be used to supply any additional energy needed to heat the water for year-round aquaculture operations.