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Chemical-Free Catfish Farming in America

Warren, RI, November 17, 2008 --- Global demand for fish continues to grow, putting a strain on wild harvests. Fish farms have answered consumer demand for fish products by increasing availability and affordability. Today, more than 40% of fish consumed is from land-based and off-shore farms. But some of this farmed fish that shows up on the American table comes from outside the U.S., and there is growing concern about its safety.

One particular chemical raises great concern. The protein content of the feed is of great importance to the fish farmers. Melamine is a component of plastics and pesticides that will falsely inflate protein contents, making the product more appealing, but it’s also more toxic. The recent infant formula scandal in China and the past pet food scare in the U.S. are just examples of the harmful effect of melamine. Melamine does not have U.S. approval for human or animal consumption, but it was reported to have been used in aquaculture feed for as long as five years in China. Some U.S. fish farms have found another way to provide a high-quality, affordable feed for their fish without chemicals.

One example is Deadbroke Ranch, a Mississippi catfish farm which has been using an environmentally friendly aqua treatment from Pro-Act Biotech for approximately a year. Their main goal was to clear the algae from the ponds. After a few months of treatment, the green color cleared, and the fish thrived. However, they also found that the treatment resulted in the creation of a high-protein feed for their fish.

“This past summer, our feeding machine was out of commission for several months,” explains Stacey Cranston, owner of Deadbroke Ranch. “The fish continued to prosper. We found out that the food source created by Pro-Act’s treatment continued to feed the fish for several months. After repairing our feeding machine, we put less in it since our water treatment is providing a lot of food for the fish.”

Pro-Act Biotech’s microbial treatment takes a different path in its digestion of ammonia and solids, turning them into a microbial protein that the fish can use as food. It’s a high-quality, all-natural food source created without chemicals.

Of course, the final goal of any fish farm is to have high-quality fish to send to market. The ranch’s fish prospered in the improved water quality. There were no problems with typical farmed fish diseases such as brown lung which results from excess nitrates. The skin of the fish was smoother than normal and all slime was eliminated, making harvest-time easier. Most notably, the meat was on-flavor.

In addition to increasing the sustainability of their farm, their profit margin was also on the rise after using Pro-Act Biotech’s treatment.

“The treatment kept the pond’s oxygen level high so I didn’t have to run my aerators as much,” Cranston explains. “This alone saved us about 40% on our electric bill which covers the cost of our water treatment.”

“The benefits and savings I’ve experienced with this water treatment goes far beyond its cost,” Cranston notes. “It also helps me sleep at night knowing it’s good for the environment, the fish and the consumer.”
 

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