Fish silage production by fermentation

Toppe, J.; Olsen, R.L.;

Fish silage production by fermentation

A manual on how microbial fermentation can turn fish waste into a valuable feed ingredient or fertilizer

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 30 p.

Author Toppe, J.; Olsen, R.L.;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-138787-0

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) This publication is a practical manual that will guide the reader through the main principles of producing fish silage by fermentation and explain each step of the fermentation process needed to successfully become a fish silage producer. Fish, including shellfish, are highly nutritious and in much demand all over the world. However, fish processing by-products, in particular viscera (guts), are highly perishable. If not preserved or processed within a relatively short time after harvest, they may deteriorate rapidly making them unfit for human consumption or other uses. In many cases, processing leads to the removal of significant parts of the fish, such as the viscera, head, belly flaps and backbone. Depending on the species, these parts may represent between 30 percent and 70 percent of the fish. Some parts, such as gonads, belly flaps and backbones, may be used directly for human consumption, but most of the by-products of fish processing have traditionally been wasted, leading to negative environmental impacts, or they have been used in fresh form as feed for livestock or as fertilizers.

Cite this content as:

Toppe, J. and Olsen, R.L. 2024. Fish silage production by fermentation – A manual on how microbial fermentationcan turn fish waste into a valuable feed ingredient or fertilizer. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0799en

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Language English

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A significant amount of fish by-products is produced during fish processing. These by-products represent 20–80 percent of the fish and provide a good source of macro- and micronutrients. Yet they often go unutilized, when they can easily be converted into a variety of products including fishmeal and oil, fish hydrolysates, fish collagen, fish sauce, fish biodiesel and fish leather. The production of fish silage using organic acid is a good example of the simple and inexpensive conversion processes which can be employed. Fish silage production uses minced by-products or minced whole fish unsuitable for human consumption as raw material, before adding a preservative to stabilize the mixture – usually an organic acid such as formic acid. The process breaks down protein into free amino acids and small-chain peptides which have nutritional and antimicrobial properties, therefore, the fish silage can be used as healthy feed and fertilizer. The feasibility studies on fish waste management in Bangladesh, Philippines and Thailand outline existing good practices on the utilization of by-products and fish waste. Furthermore, the insights provided on the potential production and utilization of fish silage in each country are promising in terms of increasing the productivity of the fisheries sector, reducing post-harvest waste, increasing economic value and improving environment sustainability.
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Fish silage production and use in the Caribbean: Feasibility study for Barbados and Saint Kitts and Nevis 2020

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It is estimated that per year in Barbados, 585 tonnes of fish waste are generated at the two main public fish markets, and 936 tonnes of waste are generated at private fish processors across the island. Therefore, Barbados produces an aggregate of 1 521 tonnes of fish waste annually. At present, approximately 90 percent of fish waste and by-products are discarded at the landfill. To produce fish silage on a large scale in Barbados the baseline cost (based on a 90 percent yield rate) is estimated to be USD 265 920, excluding the cost of fish waste and acids. Sales revenues based on competitor prices range from USD 528 485 to USD 2 044 900. During the fish silage demonstration workshop held from 23 to 26 July 2019 in Bridgetown, the cost of small-scale production (100 kg) was estimated to be USD 900 and USD 254 when using the chemical and biological methods, respectively. The existing regulatory framework has the potential to facilitate the production and utilization of fish silage. However, clearance and permission may have to be institutionalized in order for fish silage to be produced and utilized in, and or as, animal feed. These conclusive findings subsequently prompted FAO to engage in a partnership with the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI), to develop the silage-based feeds and document their effects on the growth performance of select animals.
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Production and utilization of fish silage
A manual on how to turn fish waste into profit and a valuable feed ingredient or fertilizer
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The processing of fish leads to a significant removal of parts of the fish, such as heads, bones, guts, etc., these parts can represent between 30-70% of the fish. The fish silage process transforms fish waste into a liquid mix of hydrolysed proteins, lipids, minerals and other nutrients, easily digestible by both terrestrial and aquatic animals. It can also serve as an excellent fertilizer. Fish silage could make a difference in terms of; i) environmental impact - by reducing levels of waste, ii) animal health - by providing nutrients and bioactive components, iii) economic gains - as waste is converted into a valuable product that can replace expensive feed ingredients, or be used as a fertilizer. This manual will provide technical guidance and explain each step and main principles of production and utilization of fish silage.