An Idaho fish processor has purchased an innovative feed mill to convert raw fish guts into high-quality feed.

Leo Ray, owner of Fish Breeders of Idaho, believes he’ll soon be the only business in the industry making fish feed directly from raw fish processing waste — an approach he said will result in a pellet fish will more readily convert into body mass while producing less excrement.

“Leo has been one of the innovators in aquaculture in the U.S. for many years,” said Kevin Fitzsimmons, a University of Arizona environmental sciences professor specializing in aquaculture.

His largest customer, Whole Foods, will pay a premium for his fillets in order to make a sustainability claim. Ray said he may also make his feed without any ingredients derived from genetic modification, enabling Whole Foods to make a GMO-free claim. Fish Breeders is negotiating with local farmers to contract for wheat, corn and peas and will also use soybeans.

Source: Capital Press // Original Article