SOME PROBLEMS OF THE FISHERIES 757 



package foods in a case with only crushed ice as a refrigerant, or without any 

 refrigerant. Often packages of fish and other foods which were in excellent condi- 

 tion while frozen are held until completely defrosted before being finally sold to 

 the consvimer. This is a problem which the industry cannot aflFord to overlook. 



Utilization of Fish Waste 



Use of the entire fish is the rule in fish-packing establishments. More and more 

 plant operators are taking steps to utilize the entire fish rather than only that por- 

 tion which can be used as a fillet or placed in a can. There still remains one con- 

 siderable area where little use is made of the waste products from canning fish. 

 In the Territory of Alaska it is estimated that 50,000 tons of cannery waste are 

 discarded annually. 



This wasteful practice is not intentional, but there are several problems in- 

 volved which as yet have not been solved. Many of these canning plants are lo- 

 cated on isolated Alaskan bays and inlets far from any city or town with a nearby 

 farming community which could utilize the processed waste products. Personnel 

 to operate the cannery is often transported from the United States. The season 

 usually lasts from 3 to 6 weeks, after which time the personnel returns to their 

 homes. During the canning season tremendous quantities of salmon are handled 

 in one day, and a plant to reduce the waste would be overloaded far beyond its 

 capacity. Salmon waste is so highly perishable that it would be extremely difficult 

 to store. The investment in money and costs of upkeep for a plant of sufiicient 

 capacity to reduce the waste as it is delivered from the cannery would be pro- 

 hibitive. The nearest market for the waste products is in the agricultural areas of 

 the United States. The costs and uncertain facilities of transportation of the fish 

 meal and oil to the markets are also extremely unfavorable. Few reduction plants 

 are in operation for these reasons. 



A solution to the problem of complete utilization of the salmon resource will 

 be obtained only when a method for waste preservation is devised. The waste 

 may be used in the prodviction of materials of greater value than meal and 

 oil. Some research along these lines has been undertaken by the technologists of the 

 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Fisherv Research Laboratories. 

 Of main concern thus far has been the production of materials of greater value 

 than fish meal and oil. There is an indication that the waste material is rich in 

 cholesterol and a commercial grade of lecithin, as well as an oil with an iodine 

 value of 200. These products are all of greater value than the fish meal. 



While a successful preservative in the form of "Aquacide" is available for such 

 material, it appears that the chemicals of the preservative might afi^ect the value 

 of the material for some pharmaceutical products which are contained in it. The 

 usual method for preserving many of the glands and other organs for the prepara- 

 tion of pharmaceuticals is by freezing. It is possible that an economical method 

 for freezing these organs from the waste may be devised and put in commercial 

 operation. 



As this study progresses, it is expected that insulin will be produced commer- 

 cially since the demand now exceeds the supply. It is not inconceivable that this 

 waste material may be a source for many of the enzymes and hormones now in 

 demand. It has been demonstrated that certain parts of fish viscera contain an 

 extractable material of value in the treatment of pernicious anemia. Crystalline 



