idea to fish, including the offal and waste. If it is to be applied here, it would be equally logical to apply it to other wastes which ordinarily go into fertilizer and feed.

There is no need for fish flour made from inedible portions of fish, and, in the absence of a compelling emergency, its sale ought not to be permitted.

The Federal Food and Drug Administration has indicated a solution of this problem which is fair to the proponents of this legislation as well as to other industries and the consumer public. It has proposed a standard for fish flour made from edible portions of fish, but has not recognized fish flour made from whole fish including the offal and waste portions.

H.R. 12269 and related bills would utilize public funds to develop a protein product of doubtful public acceptance and for which there is no compelling need. Enactment of this legislation would undermine the confidence of consumers in our food and drug laws. If the product were labeled as made from whole fish the public would assume that this meant cleaned and edible portions of fish. There would be a most unfavorable reaction upon discovery that the high food standards this country has always maintained had been lowered to permit the manufacture of foods from fish waste and offal.

The general effect also would be to break down other sanitary standards as other products sought to meet this competition by relaxation of the requirements applicable to them.

The product would be rendered bland so that its origin could not be recognized by taste or smell. Running through the arguments in support of the product is the inference that esthetic tastes would not be affected unless consumers knew that the fish flour was made from fish including the offal and waste.

We are concerned with this aspect of the matter. The product would be used in bread and in other foods so that the consumer, in most cases, would not know what he was getting. Even if the consumer noticed on the label that whole fish flour was used, he would assume that this meant only the edible portions of fish and that the Food and Drug Administration would not permit the article to be sold if it were made from inedible portions of the fish.

In conclusion, there is no real need for turning to such questionable sources of supply for food, and very great harm would be done to the whole pure food program in this country by enactment of this legislation.

We oppose the use of public funds to develop a food product from fish material ordinarily considered filthy and inedible.

STATEMENT OF HOWARD W. WRIGHT, JR., PRESIDENT, SOUTHWESTERN ENGINEERING

Co.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, my name is Howard W. Wright, Jr. I am President of the Southwestern Engineering Company of Los Angeles, California. Southwestern Engineering Company is greatly interested in the passage of legislation similar to HR 12269 authorizing the construction of several demonstration plants for the production for fish protein concentrate. We believe that the enactment of this legislation by the Congress will be of inestimable value in opening up the vast resources of the oceans in the war against world hunger. Further, it will permit an important development in the commercial fishing and processing industries in the United States by creating a market for presently non-commercial species of the fish found abundantly in our waters.

These fish are now being caught by foreign fishermen off our shores. U.S. commercial fishermen have not used this potentially large resource because deep water fish such as the hake, a plentiful species, have not gained popular acceptance in this country. However, the work of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries has shown that hake will yield a highly nutritious protein concentrate.

For many years Southwestern Engineering Company has had a vital interest in the fish processing industry. The SWECO Separator, a circular-vibratingscreen, is widely used in fish and other food processing plants throughout the world. Our technical personnel have extensive experience in the design and engineering of complete plants, using solvent extraction and other processes for the production of edible oils and by-products from oil-bearing materials.

We have followed with interest the development of the FPC process. Recognizing the critical nature of the multi-stage separation of miscella from fish

concentrate and the importance of complete solvent removal from the product, SWECO sponsored a private research program to investigate potential improvements in methods and equipment. This SWECO-supervised, university-conducted effort has resulted in simplified liquid-solid separation and desolventizing techniques that have higher capacity and efficiency than other methods and which are fully within the scope of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries process. Our research program is continuing, and promising new developments in comminution and drying methods are being evaluated.

It is the recommendation of Southwestern Engineering Company that the Government utilize the resources and experience of private industry and our universities in the development, design, and construction and operation of the proposed demonstration plants. A four-party team could be formed consisting of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries for technical and overall direction; an engineering and manufacturing firm for plant design, construction and start-up; an established commercial fish processing company for operation of the facility; and university personnel for scientific and nutritional evaluations. It is our considered opinion that a joint effort such as this would materially expedite the successful production of fish protein concentrate. Southwestern Engineering Company will cooperate in any way possible with the Government in establishing this kind of joint enterprise.

SWECO urges the Government to finance and assist industry. Fish protein concentrate is not a provincial or even national matter. Hunger and diet deficiency are world problems which require the full assistance of our Government. To develop an FPC process adequate to meet the great demands of the world, funds for research and development must be provided. Because of both the world-wide nature of the problem and the cost of research, the Governmentnot the industry-should provide funds which necessarily will have a catalystic effect in developing a method to help solve international protein deficiency and to open new markets for America's fishermen.

1

We believe it is imperative, therefore, that legislation similar to that proposed in H.R. 12269 be enacted by the Congress so that implementation of the fish protein concentrate program may proceed as rapidly as possible in order to meet the pressing problem of malnutrition in less developed countries of the world and to provide our commercial fishing industry with an important new market for untapped resources from our own coastal waters.

STATEMENT OF RUSSELL L. HADEN, JR., PRESIDENT, IONICS, INC., WATERTOWN,

MASS.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, in your recent hearings of August 16 and 17 concerning Senate Bill S. 2720, ample testimony was given concerning the benefits to be gained from the successful development of a process for the manufacture of Fish Protein Concentrate. These benefits include providing a sorely-needed new source of animal protein, especially among the hungry of the developing nations, while at the same time initiating a revitalization of the American fishing industry. Ionics heartily endorses the spirit of the program conducted by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries to develop a suitable manufacturing process to these ends. However, rather than reiterate what already has been presented so eloquently in testimony, Ionics wishes to testify on one aspect of this program in which it has a unique knowledge, that is, the economic analysis of the proposed processes for the manufacture of Fish Protein Concentrate.

Ionics perhaps is best known for its activities in the field of desalination, having designed and installed approximately 90% of the world's capacity for the demineralization of brackish water by electrodialysis. However, Ionics also has been actively engaged in the development and engineering of processes associated with the food industry. These include a process for desalting whey which is a by-product of cheese manufacturing operations and is largely wasted because of its salt content, as well as a membrane process for the retention of flavor bile concentrating liquid foods. Our technical staff has successfully completed e-range of problems both for the Federal Government and for industry. ve of our demonstrated capability in related fields, Ionics was asked by

pr

abi

Ti narily

of Commercial Fisheries to conduct an overall engineering and eco

nomic analysis of its solvent extraction process for producing FPC. This analysis was performed during the spring and summer of 1965 and was restricted to the isopropyl alcohol extraction of hake. The results of Ionics' study were issued in the form of a Final Report to the Bureau and subsequently were reproduced in part in Fishery Leaflet 584 issued by the Department of the Interior in April 1966 and entitled "Marine Protein Concentrate".

In essence, Ionics' task was to design a commercial-size FPC plant for the solvent extraction of hake based on the laboratory and pilot plant data available from the Bureau's installations at College Park and Beltsville, Maryland respectively. The size chosen for investigation was a processing capacity of fifty tons of raw fish per day, which is fairly small in terms of conventional fish meal operations yet large enough to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the process in commercial scale equipment. This plant would produce 15,000 pounds per day of high quality Fish Protein Concentrate.

The results of our analysis indicated that, even with present technology, the total operating cost would be under 7 cents per pound for the fifty ton per day plant. To this would be added 7 cents per pound as the cost of hake supplied which has been estimated at a price of $20 per raw ton. However, it would seem that a figure of $40/ton for raw hake might be more realistic under commercial conditions. While this would not make the 80% protein product uneconomical, it indicates the necessity of doing the most thorough job possible in designing the demonstration plants and investigating the possible technology improvements such as continuous processing and fish oil recovery. Therefore, expanded research and development activities must continue on both the laboratory and demonstration-plant scale of operations if these goals are to be realized.

As a result of having this economic analysis as first-hand knowledge, Ionics wishes to place in the record of these hearings that it believes that the manufacture of Fish Protein Concentrate by the process developed by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries can be a successful financial venture for American private industry. This is not meant to imply that any company could reasonably undertake such a venture at present since it is vital that the process first be demonstrated in a commercial-scale operation and that the product be accepted in the field. For example, the plant amortization costs in Ionics' economic analysis were based on a fixed capital investment of about $750,000 required to build a fifty ton per day plant. However, this would not be a realistic cost estimate for the initial (or demonstration) plant, especially if this plant were to be constructed before completing an extensive engineering development program. The fixed capital investment required for construction of this initial plant will be no less than one million dollars.

In conclusion, we wish to restate our convictions on the economic viability of this process for the manufacture of Fish Protein Concentrate, and also the desirability of the Federal Government undertaking the program of engineering development and demonstration of commercial feasibility.

CITY OF SEWARD,

Seward, Alaska, February 28, 1966.

Hon. JOHN W. MCCORMACK,

Speaker, House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. MCCORMACK: Enclosed is a copy of the captioned Resolution as passed and approved by the Seward City Council and endorsing Senator Bartlett's bill relating to establishing experimental plants to manufacture fish protein concentrate.

The Council respectfully requests your support and favorable action on this matter.

Very truly yours,

BEATRICE E. WATTS,
City Clerk-Treasurer.

THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, RESOLUTION No. 492

Whereas, the Honorable E. L. Bartlett, United States Senator from Alaska, has introduced in the United States Senate a bill which would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contract with private firms to construct and operate

large scale experimental plants manufacturing fish protein concentrate; and Whereas, lack of protein is a prime cause of malnutrition; and

Whereas, fish concentrate provides far more protein than other foods and can be produced and distributed at less cost; and

Whereas, fish protein concentrate therefore promises to be exceptionally effective in overcoming the malnutrition and the effects of malnutrition which afflict a large portion of the world population; and

Whereas, Alaskan waters produce an abundant and unused supply of fish for this purpose: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Common Council of The City of Seward, Alaska, endorses Senator Bartlett's bill relating to experimental plants for manufacturing fish protein concentrate and urges the United States Congress to act favorably on it. Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Carl Hayden, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House, the Honorable Henry M. Jackson, Chairman, Senate Committee of Interior and Insular Affairs, the Honorable Wayne N. Aspinall, Chairman, House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, and to the Honorable E. L. Bartlett and the Honorable Ernest Gruening, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Ralph J. Rivers, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress. Passed and approved this 21st day of February, 1966. R. W. KIRKPATRICK,

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: At the request of the Legislature of the State of Alaska, I have the honor of transmitting to you a certified copy of Senate Joint Resolution 76 relating to experimental plants for manufacturing fish protein concentrate.

Sincerely,

S.J. RES. 76

HUGH J. WADE,
Secretary of State.

"JOINT RESOLUTION relating to experimental plants for manufacturing fish protein concentrate

"Be it resolved by the legislature of the State of Alaska:

"Whereas the Honorable E. L. Bartlett, United States Senator from Alaska, has introduced in the United States Senate a bill which would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to contract with private firms to construct and operate large scale experimental plants manufacturing fish protein concentrate; and "Whereas fish concentrate provides far more protein than other foods and can be produced at less cost; and

"Whereas lack of protein is a prime cause of malnutrition; and

"Whereas fish protein concentrate therefore promises to be exceptionally effective in overcoming the malnutrition and the effects of malnutrition which afflict a large portion of the world population; be it

"Resolved, That the Alaska Legislature endorses Senator Bartlett's bill and urges the United States Congress to act favorably on it."

Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Carl Hayden, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House, the Honorable Henry M. Jackson, Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, the Honorable Wayne N. Aspinall, Chairman, House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, and to the Honorable E. L. Bartlett and the Honorable Ernest Gruening, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Ralph J. Rivers, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.

AUTHENTICATION

The following officers of the Legislature certify that the attached enrolled resolution, S.J. Res. 76, was passed in conformity with the requirements of the constitution and laws of the State of Alaska and the Uniform Rules of the Legislature.

I urgently request quick passage of marine protein concentrate bill. No other bill in Congress will ultimately affect so many people all over the world. H.R. 13347 will be a long first step in meeting impending world food crisis. JOHN STEVENS, President, Pacific Protein, Inc.

[Telegram]

TERMINAL ISLAND, CALIF., August 15, 1966.

Congressman JOHN DINGELL,
House Office Building,

Washington, D.C.:

Just learned today your subcommittee holding hearings on marine protein concentrate legislation August 16th and 17th. Such short notice especially in view of the airline strike absolutely precludes having anyone in attendance to testify on this important subject. Members this association all of whom have adequate technological know-how to operate plants to produce such a product wholeheartedly favor inactment appropriate législation although likelihood of locating a plant this area is slight at present time. We understand only obstacle presently in way of FDA approval of us manufacture and distribution domestically of marine protein concentrate is presence of fluorides which may have objectionable cosmetic effect by causing mottling of teeth. We believe this nonhazardous problem of minor importance domestically and is far outweight by importance of product as means of improving nutrition in other world areas suffering protein deficiency. We do not see this as legislation weakening in any way Administration Food Drug and Cosmetics Act which we have always endorsed. Favorable action would have beneficial effect domestically by providing additional outlet for fish species not now utilized hereby enlarging markets our fishermen and vessels. Please incorporate this wire in transcript. Thanks in advance.

CHARLES R. CARRY,

Executive Director, Tuna Research Foundation.