I first read about the potential of certain seaweeds for soil enrichment and livestock feed in the 1980's in a now out of print Sierra Club guidebook by Micheal Berrill about the North Atlantic Coast. They had a series of astonishingly good guides to many diverse biomes but for some grubby reason, have failed to keep the series in print. The child of Muir has been going down hill for a few decades and the loss of this reference set is just one example. Used copies can be found at Amazon and Al Libris.
Back then I didn't see much evidence of anyone with a business model for actually bringing this renewable resource to market and use was limited to a few savvy organic gardeners and farmers. Times have changed. This valuable resource has gone from being overlooked to being coveted as this quarrel story from Maine indicates.
Gloucester Massachusetts based Neptune's Harvest is one of the very few businesses that have run with this potential, an outgrowth of a decision to turn fish preparation by-products into soil enhancers and livestock feed. Here is the core of their story from their website.
"Neptune’s Harvest is a division of Ocean Crest Seafoods Inc., which was established in 1965 as a wholesale fish and seafood company. The focus of Ocean Crest has been to purchase the freshest seafood the “port of Gloucester” has to offer and distribute it to many of the best supermarkets, restaurants, and retailers on the East Coast."
'The Neptune’s Harvest division came about as an endeavor to fully utilize the fresh fish that we process. When a fish is filleted, (the process of cutting the edible portion from the fish) up to 70% of it is in the form of heads, skeletons, scales and fins. In 1986, when Neptune’s Harvest was started, this portion was being brought out on fishing boats and dumped back to the sea. Clearly there was a need of more economical and environmentally sound method of use for this valuable by-product.'
"Ocean Crest Seafood’s and Neptune’s Harvest, in conjunction with the state of Massachusetts and its local universities, has developed a process through which we changed an environmental hazard into an environmental benefit, the result being Neptune’s Harvest liquid fish fertilizer. After several years of trial and error and further refinements we now believe that we have the finest fertilizers (either organic or inorganic) available today."
Ms Ann Molloy directs sales for Neptune's Harvest and graciously provided a sense of how this has worked for the company over the passing years.
Describe the business growth over the past ten years.
"Our sales have almost doubled every year. I contribute this to the rise in organic awareness and the fact that our products work so well, the word of mouth factor really works for us."
Has the seaweed harvest side helped to offset losses to the seafood side due to fishery depletion?
"The seaweed does help spread the fish out further, so we have more fish to sell, when supplies are low."
How is the livestock feed aspect doing?
"Because of the high price of soybeans, as a protein source, we are selling more fish to be used with feed. Fish is a less expensive and better source of protein. Seaweed in the form of Kelp Meal, is an excellent animal feed as well. The Kelp Meal is fed free choice and has many minerals and other nutrients animals need to stay healthy. The reports back from customers has been amazing on this product. I’ve heard stories about animals being on deaths door, and completely rebounding after being fed the Kelp Meal."
Are you seeing growth in the larger order areas for organic farming operations?
"Yes, as organic acres increase we are selling larger quantities to organic farms. Some even buy by the 4500 gallon tanker-truck."
How far does your customer base extend?
"We sell throughout the country and also small amounts to Asia, Europe, Canada and Mexico."
Has an online presence contributed to your growth.
"Yes. Every year we increase internet sales, and more and more farmers are searching products out on-line now. It is also helpful that farmers can get application rates and usage guides on-line, so they can get what they need right away."
So there you have it, a very intelligent sustainability adaptation by a local small business built from smart collaboration with governmental and academic research entities here in the Commonwealth that promises to have a very valuable role in needed soil enhancement for the growing number of family farms springing up all over the region. Whatta pumpkin!
