Seafood Waste - Alternative Processing

Shepard Point Region Survey

The purpose of this project is to examine impacts of seafood waste discharge into Orca Inlet, including evaluation of alternative discharge and disposal methods that could be beneficial to fishermen, the processors and the community. A work plan was developed during the first year, 2004, through workshops and other collaborations. The first of two planned field experiments was initiated in June 2005 after completion of an environmental impact assessment in mid-May. This report details progress from August 16, 2004 to August 15, 2005. The major elements during this time period are (1) an October 2004 workshop, (2) development of a seafood waste dispersion model, (3) completion of the 2005 work plan, (4) completion of the NEPA Environmental Assessment for the research, and (5) initial 2005 field work.

Report Summary (pdf)
Final Report (9mb pdf)

October 2004 Workshop

The October 2004 workshop was an essential part of the planning process.The workshop in Cordova was attended by 32 persons representing 18 different agencies and public/private entities.

            Seafood Waste Dispersion Model

A seafood waste dispersion model was one product of the workshop, primarily the effort of Dr. Gary Thomas of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami. Dr. Thomas, former President of PWSSC, was in Cordova on other business and contributed his considerable expertise to the effort. The model was reported in the 2005 Statement of Work and NEPA Environmental Assessment Documents.

            2005 Statement of Work

The final output of the 2004 effort was the experimental plan. The plan was formalized as a Statement of Work, and submitted to Peter Hagen, NOAA, NMFS, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Office on March 17, 2005.

            NEPA Environmental Assessment

Since the proposed experiment involved dumping of un-ground seafood waste, it required a detailed environmental assessment. A 29-page, 1.3 MB document was completed and transmitted on May 13, 05 to Steven K. Davis, Regional NEPA Coordinator for NOAA Fisheries/Alaska Region.

            Initial 2005 Fieldwork

After preliminary surveys for baseline conditions, the project began in earnest with the dumping of about 40,000 lbs of salmon heads and 55,000 lbs of salmon carcasses at a location near Mud Bay during June and July. Figure 1 shows GPS maps and boat tracks associated with some of the disposal activities. Figure 2 shows pictures of the disposal operation. Post disposal surveys did not find any floating or beached salmon heads or carcasses.

The preliminary underwater camera surveys showed a substantial population of halibut, flounders and starfish in this area (Fig. 3). Five camera surveys have been conducted to date. Each survey includes observation of any seabird or marine mammal activity. In addition, four aerial surveys of gull activity around the current discharge have been completed by the U.S. Forest Service in cooperation with the study.

In addition to the surveys, we have asked members of the Cordova community to aid by reporting fish catches, specifically instances of fish with salmon heads in their stomach (Fig. 4). At this date, three halibut have been reported with salmon heads.

Preliminary indications are that the salmon heads and carcasses are rapidly dispersed and efficiently incorporated into the food chain, with no negative consequences, which contrasts very favorably with the current EPA-mandated practice.

Future Work:

Subsequent dumps and camera surveys will be occurring throughout the summer and early fall. Bear & Wolf anticipates providing about 100,000 lbs of silver salmon heads in late August and September.

It is already apparent that the operation is characterized by rapid dispersal and consumption of the salmon heads and carcasses. As a result, we are considering the possibility of sonic tracking of salmon heads next year. While labor-intensive, such information would be ideal for the waste dispersal model.

Coordination/Collaboration:

This project is a collaborative effort among several entities. The primary institutions are PWSSC, DEC, Cordova seafood processors, especially Bear & Wolf and Copper River Seafoods, and the U.S. Forest Service. However, as seen in Table 1, there has been widespread interest and participation in the project.

Community Involvement/ TEK and Resource Management Applications:

The collaboration noted above has been facilitated by long-term community interest in this issue going back many years, which has included the Orca Inlet Issues Committee, and more recently, the PWS Utilization Committee, organized by CRWP. Many of the issues addressed by the PWS Utilization Committee are parallel to the concerns of this project. In addition, members of the Cordova community are participating by providing catch data, especially stomach contents, as detailed above.

 Information Transfer:

The project has been featured in two Breakwater publications, and aspects of the results are being incorporated into the PWSSC website. A poster on the project was presented at the annual EVOS TC meeting in January 05. In addition, the project has been featured in several radio station interviews and public talks.

Figure 1. Pictures of GPS output showing (a) boat in from of Bear & Wolf dock loading totes of salmon heads and (b) the disposal site.

Figure 2 (a). >Tote of salmon heads being loaded from Bear & Wolf to the chartered fishing vessel, “Kyle David”.

Figure 2 (b) Deck load of totes with salmon heads in route to disposal site.

Figure 2 (c). A tote of salmon heads being dumped from chartered fishing vessel, “Kyle David”.

Figure 3. Still pictures of flatfish from underwater camera video of experiment site.