Menhaden worth more 

 Than chicken feed 



The problem: how to get underutilized species of 

 fish on the dinner table 



In 1981, North Carolina fishermen caught over 309 

 million pounds of menhaden, a fish used mainly for fer- 

 tilizers and chicken feed. Each pound of menhaden 

 brought fishermen less than 3 cents. 



There are other underutilized species like the 

 menhaden. If researchers could devise a way to process 

 these fish into an edible form, the traditional seafood in- 

 dustry in North Carolina could expand. Researchers 

 want to determine how to process the fish, what species 

 to use and what to do with all the wastewater generated 

 by the process. 



The research: developing a washed minced fish 

 product using underutilized species that can be 

 reconstructed into seafood products, and develop- 

 ing a system for dealing with the wastewater from 

 seafood processing 



For years the Japanese have prepared a refabricated 

 product of minced fish called surimi. By water-washing 

 the mince, they end up with a protein concentrate 

 suitable for use in restructured seafood products. 



This year, Sea Grant will continue its work with sur- 

 imi. Since mince depends upon a gelling agent to bind it 

 into simulated shellfish products, Don Hamann and Tyre 

 Lanier will be investigating the protein interactions 

 which occur during gelation of fish proteins. Along with 

 this, they'll be looking at the textural qualities of the 

 simulated shellfish meats. For the consumer, this 

 research could mean a fish product high in food value but 

 low in cost. 



Frank Thomas and Lanier will evaluate various un- 

 derutilized species, particularly menhaden and other 

 fishes in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, for use in the 

 production of surimi. They'll be developing handling, 

 processing and storing techniques for the surimi prepared 

 from the various species. 



The washing technique necessary to make surimi pre- 

 sents additional problems. Where does the wastewater 

 go? Allen Chao will be developing a wastewater treat- 

 ment suitable for seafood processing plants. If the water 

 can be recycled, it will save money for the industry and 

 avoid pollution of the coastal waters. 



The researchers: 



Donald Hamann, Department of Food Science, North 



Carolina State University 

 Tyre Lanier, Department of Food Science, North 



Carolina State University 

 Frank Thomas, Department of Food Science, North 



Carolina State University 

 Allen Chao, Department of Civil Engineering, North 



Carolina State University 



Photo by Neil Caudle 



Tyre Lanier 



Photo from National Marine Fisheries Service 



Fishermen corralling menhaden 



