Louisianians crave them during winter months, and savor them during the summer. A $120
million dollar industry, crawfish is one of Louisiana's key exports (Louisiana harvests more
than 90 percent of the crawfish sold in the United States). The small shellfish are known by
people across the country as a Louisiana delicacy and are sought after by many including
curious visitors to the state, Louisiana natives abroad who have them shipped for a quick
reminder of home, and local residents who can't wait for "crawfish weather" to come around.
Whatever the case may be, the "mud bugs" are a source of enjoyment for many. But, these small
creatures also are responsible for a large problem in the state - producing more than 85
million pounds of aquatic waste annually. Aquatic waste that is overflowing Louisiana's
landfills. SUAREC Animal Science Researcher C. Reuben Walker speaks out about the growing
problem of aquatic waste in Louisiana and a recent patent received - a possible solution to
the problem.
What is aquatic waste, and why is it a problem?
Aquatic waste for our research purpose refers to the non-edible portion of crawfish, crab,
and shrimp. The proper disposal of aquatic waste is a growing environmental problem. Over
50 million pounds of aquatic waste is generated each year in Louisiana. Currently, Louisiana
has no technical process to deal with the large volume of aquatic waste. Conversely, over
100 million of pounds of aquatic waste are generated from shrimp, crab, and crawfish
nationwide.
You recently received a patent for a process
performed on aquatic waste. What is the title of the patent, and what is it going to be
used for?
The patent is titled "Method and apparatus for reducing the calcium and phosphorous ratio and
increasing crude protein in shellfish waste meal." The patent has a two-fold use. The first
is the development of high protein (45% to 62%) aquatic waste meals (crawfish, crab, and
shrimp) for livestock and use as a soil amendment. Second, the patent could possibly be use
to help handle the voluminous amount of crawfish, crab, and shrimp waste generated in
Louisiana and other states along the Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and East Coast.
When did you begin the research, and when was
the patent received?
We started aquatic waste research in 1992. However, the aforementioned patent application was
filed on August 8, 2001. We received the patent on August 17, 2004. It is the 1st patent for
Southern University - Baton Rouge and SUAREC.
There currently is shellfish waste meal on the
market. What is the difference between the shellfish waste meal on the market now, and
the shellfish waste meal you are introducing through your research and patent?
This meal is high in protein and low in calcium and phosphorous rates. Although there are
shellfish waste meal on the market with high protein rates, none of them offer the low
calcium and phosphorous rates as this particular patent does.
How can your research on aquatic waste and patent help Louisiana
farmers?
Hopefully some farmers and gardeners can obtain aquatic waste and converted it into aquatic
meals (crawfish, crab, and shrimp) for their use. Currently, the research that we are
conducting could go a long way in determining economical and simple methods producing
aquatic waste meals. The cost of feeding livestock can account for more than 50% of the
cost of production. Our research effort on aquatic waste meal could not only benefit
farmers, but home gardeners, citrus growers, etc.
How will the patent help Southern University and
the Ag Center?
Louisiana doesn't have an aquatic waste plant to consider these issues regarding shellfish
waste. This patent will help place Southern University on the map, leading environmental
efforts in the state. This research is more timely due to the increasing state and federal
mandates relating to clean air and water. SUAREC research on aquatic waste could help
increase the market share of crawfish, crab, and shrimp waste meals in the marketplace. If
dried cow manure is sold in the lawn and garden section of certain store, why not dried
crawfish, crab, and shrimp meal?
How do you obtain the shellfish waste for
your research?
We just ask for it. There are about 15 seafood-processing plants in Louisiana, and we simply
ask for a portion of the waste before they dispose of it. Others request the waste, and apply
it for fertilizer on their farms, which also is a viable option for shellfish waste. Once
the research and process for creating the shellfish meal is shared with Louisiana farmers,
they should be able to do the same thing to acquire the shellfish waste. You just have to
have a need for it.
Do you want to produce and sell the shellfish
waste meal at the University?
No. We hope an industrial, chemical; feed companies, etc would be interested in our patent.
We would prefer to have others buy into the idea, and sell the process to feed companies. We
have developed a unique item, and most feed companies will be eager to acquire the formula
we've developed for the low calcium and phosphorous rates.Our process has crude protein in the
range of 45% of 60% and a Ca: P ratio in the range of 1:1
What is the next step since the patent has been
received?
We would now like to secure the second part of the patent - the dryer. The dryer will allow
farmers even greater liberties in developing the shellfish waste meal. They won't have to
wait until a sunny day to dry the shellfish waste. They can create the meal regardless of
the weather. Since we have the first patent, the next part should take less time to receive.
We also will continue performing research, and developing methods to better help Louisiana
farmers, and the environment.
# # #
