ABSTRACT
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23.1 INTRODUCTION
The situation of the world oceans is believed by many to be very close to experiencing major collapses in important fish stocks (1). Recent data on the world harvest estimates wild fish capture at close to 100 million metric tons, the estimated sustainable limit; if aquaculture is included, the value exceeds 120 million metric tons (2). This situation
should encourage harvesters and processors to change their practices, leading to better utilization of the current harvest and directing efforts into developing new means to utilize underutilized species. Currently substantial amounts of protein rich material derived from aquatic animals are discarded or not utilized optimally. These materials are typically byproducts from seafood processing plants, such as frames, cut offs, and by catch from fisheries, such as shrimp fisheries (3). For example, it has been reported that possibly more than 60% of fish tissue remaining after processing is considered to be processing waste and not used as human food(4). This material is high in quality protein (10%) and other valuable compounds which could be utilized for human consumption. These values naturally can vary between species and the raw material in question. Furthermore, many species rich in quality protein and lipids are not harvested or utilized due to processing and stability problems of the final product (5). In many parts of the world, discarding byproducts is bound by strict regulations and comes at a high cost. Within the materials here listed are highly functional components (proteins, lipids, antioxidants, minerals) which could be converted into valuable products, provided the proper economic method exist and a market exists for the end products.
