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Rendering is an ancient process used from the beginning of human civilization to convert animal byproduct (offal) into safe and usable products. Traditionally, this process begins with boiling animal waste and results in edible feed. This conversion is an essential part of an efficient and sustainable agriculture. Not only are conventional rendering facilities expensive to build, they consume enormous amounts of energy and produce a foul odor.
Common Carp are freshwater fish that are not natural to North America. The carnivorous fish were introduced into the United States in 1880's, and eventually spread to various waterways deliberately and accidentally. Carp destroy aquatic habitat by uprooting the forage on lake and stream bottoms and in turn increase turbidity in the water. This lack of vegetation results in the lack of photosynthesis, reducing the oxygen saturation in water needed by fish to survive. The disapearance of vegetation has reduced protective hiding places for fish trying to escape, reducing the survival of several species of fish. This also has reduced the food supply for other fish.
Asian Carp have escaped from aquacultural farms along the Mississippi River. They are now found in the entire river basin which ajoins Lake Michigan. Due to their large size and rapid rate of reproduction, they now constitute 80% of the biomass of our main river system. These fish could soon pose a significant risk to the Great Lakes Ecosystem. It is reported that the Carp in the Mississippi River Basin are so large and viscious that they frequently have destroyed the nets of commercial fishermen. Both carp species lack a natural predator in North America,
so only man can suppress their numbers.
The world's growing appetite for high quality foodstuffs has
increased
demand for Fish Meal keeps increasing while ocean fish populations
are dwindling. Ten years ago Australian aquacultural scientists
predicted alooming shortage of fish meal and a consequent spike in
prices. Their predictions have come true, with prices current prices
over US$1000 /MT.
For these and other reasons, fish oil production declined in all main producing countries with the exception of Iceland. Though catches of fish destined for reduction in 2005 were more or less in line with the 2004 result, fish oil production declined due to lower fat content of the fish. |
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