CONVERTING FISH KILL TO HIGH NITROGEN FERTILIZER

How to make your own high nitrogen fish amino acid or fish emulsion using EM-1 technology

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       Fishkill or the overnight death of the whole fish population in an enclosed fish cage, fish pen, inland fish pond or in the open lake and sea are caused by sudden extreme change of water temperature, the presence of toxic algae, toxic waste, polluted water due to high levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulphide or nitrite gases in the pond bottom, or diseases.  The root cause oftentimes is due to human greed.  As overstocking is resorted to by unscrupulous fish pond operators, particularly in fish pens in Taal, Laguna de Bay and off-shore fish cages in Pangasinan, due to high demand of fish like bangus and tilapia, the higher pollution level brought about by decaying dead fish and unconsumed feeds become the sources of toxic gases.

      The sudden death of fish in big volume creates a nightmarish problem for the affected LGUs or barangays as well as the BFAR and DENR. The stench after a few days becomes a public health hazard and the contamination of drinking water underground and spread of pathogens in the soil have to have quick solution and effective control of odor and pathogens.

    In one issue of EM SOLUTIONS, we discussed the low-cost yet effective way of neutralizing bad odors from dead fish and preventing the contamination of ground water and the spread of pathogens in the soil brought about by fast decaying fishkill.

Here, we shall show you how to CONVERT TRASH INTO CASH

MAKING YOUR OWN FISH AMINO ACID – a high nitrogen fertilizer for your crops

Fish emulsion or fermented fish waste is a common fertilizer being applied by farmers in organic farming method introduced by Koreans and Japanese which provide biological sources of nitrogen and other micro nutrients.  The process is simple and it can be done by anyone with lots of cheap fish on hand.  Here, we shall share with you the EM technology developed by Dr. Teruo Higa of EM Research Organization, Japan. 

Effective microorganism as Dr. Higa coined are beneficial bacteria that he researched on and realized that with the proper combination of Lactic Acid bacteria, yeast and photosynthetic bacteria, a powerful and hidden force of nature is unleash to counteract the putrefying action of pathogens that causes the bad odor of decaying organic matters like dead fish.

EM Technology has been applied in the Tsunami stricken places in Japan as well as Thailand and Indonesia, in the USA after supertyphoon Katrina struck and caused lots of death. Please refer to www.emrojapan.com. for more details. 

EMAS or activated EM solution provides the cheapest solution and very environment and human friendly.  No toxic chemicals. Easy to prepare and apply.

FISH AMINO ACID MAKING – FORMULA ONE

Multiply your EM-1 Concentrate into thirty times of EM activated solution or EMAS

Materials:

♣ 1 liter of EM-1 concentrate

♣ 1 liter of high-grade molasses. brix level should be above 50 brix. Get from reliable   suppliers to be sure or as a substitute if you don’t have molasses, use 1 kilogram of brown sugar

♣ A plastic drum for mixing 30 liters of EMAS.

♣ 2 pcs. 20 liter plastic container with cover or 50 liter empty plastic drum with sealable cover.

♣ A bamboo stick for mixing

♣ 28 liters of clean, non-chlorinated water.  Deep well clean water is best.  
If you are using Chlorine treated water, please let the water oxidize for one day in the drum.  Do not cover.

1.  Dilute the molasses in warm water of 2 liters.  Or dissolve the brown sugar first in warm water. It will dilute evenly and fast in warm water. 

2.  Pour the molasses or sugar syrup or solution into the remaining 26 liters of water.

3.  Mix the EM-1 concentrate into the 28 liter of water with the molasses or sugar.

4.  Stir well for even mix.

5.  Pour the content into the two plastic containers at 15 liters each or cover the 50 liter drum after mixing.

6.  Uncover to release gases due to fermentation daily and cover tightly again immediately after.

7.  Keep the plastic container or drum inside a room or shaded shed. Far from heat or direct sunlight.

8.  In the Philippines, the fermentation process can be completed in 5 to 7 days after.

9.  A successful fermentation process will produce a sweet sour smell of the EMAS.  If it has a foul smell, the process is unsuccessful.  This is often due to contamination by using unclean water, adulterated molasses, expired EM-1 concentrate.  EM-1 has a shelf life of six months. 

     
Get your EM-1 concentrate from accredited dealers. Beware of fakes.

Using EMAS to make your own fish amino acid fertilizer

As it is more convenient to use a 200 liter plastic drum in times of fishkill, you should mix three liters of EM-1 concentrate to make 90 liters of EMAS.  The drum used should have a cover.  If not, you can remove the top part and use a plastic  bag without any holes to cover the top opening and use a rubber interior strip to have an airtight cover.

1.  Prepare fresh fish by chopping them into small chunks of one to two inches.  Put all materials inside the plastic drum.  For a 200 liter drum, you can place 95 kg. of chopped fish.  Include the intestines.

2.  Pour EMAS while loading your fish material.  Pour all 90 liters of EMAS.  It is important to wet the fish chunks with EMAS to hasten the fermentation  process and to minimize the cumbersome task of stirring the fish chunks in the drum

3.  Do the mixing in a shaded area. Avoid hot sunlight.

4.  Seal the drum opening air tight to have a good fermentation process.

5.  The fermentation process will be completed in two to three weeks. If the plastic film cover expands too much, like a growing balloon, release the gas by loosening the rubber band but tighten well immediately after.

6.  The liquid is the FAA and the solid portion of the fish can be further composted.

7.  Separate the liquid with the use of a fine strainer. It can be catcha cloth or screen.

     Place inside 1 to 1.5 liter plastic bottle and leave 2 inches of space on top before closing.  Do not fill to the brim to allow fermented gas space. You may open the cap from time to time to release the gas and close cap tightly immediately after.

8.  The EM-FAA is a good foliar fertilizer and soil conditioner for your plants.

FISH AMINO ACID MAKING – FORMULA TWO

Materials

♣ 2 liters of EM-1 concentrate

♣ 40 liters of high-grade molasses. brix level should be above 50 brix. Get from reliable

   suppliers to be sure or as a substitute if you don’t have molasses, use 40 kilogram of

   brown sugar

♣ A plastic drum for mixing 200 liters capacity

♣ A bamboo stick for mixing

♣ 58 liters of clean, non-chlorinated water.  Deep well clean water is best.  If you are using

 Chlorine treated water, please let the water oxidize for one day in the drum.  Do not cover.

1.    Chop the fresh fish into small chunks of one to two inches.  Put all materials inside the plastic drum.  For a 200 liter drum, you can put 95 kg chopped fish.  Include the intestines.

2.    In the separate container make an EM solution by dissolving 40 liters of molasses in 58 liters of warm water. Add 2 liters of EM-1 concentrate and mix well.

3.    On a shaded area pour the EM solution inside the drum together with your fish material and stir.

4.    Seal the drum opening air tight to have a good fermentation process and store it away from direct sunlight.

5.    The fermentation process will be completed in two to three weeks. If the plastic film cover expands too much, like a growing balloon, release the gas by loosening the rubber band but tighten well immediately after.

6.    The liquid is the FAA and the solid portion of the fish can be further composted.

Application of Fish Amino Acid in plants

1.    Dilute 150 ml of Fish Amino Acid to 16 liters of water or one knapsack sprayer.

2.    Spray it on leaves and stem of the plant early in the morning or late in the afternoon once a week.

3.    During basal fertilization, dilute 1 liter of Fish Amino Acid to 200 liters of non-chlorinated water and spray it on soil.  This will help loosen up the hard soil and

improve the organic matter compostion in soil.  Helps also in roots health and plants grow robust .  Lowers the use of chemical fertilizers.

      4.  Leafy vegetables loves FAA foliar application.  Apply once only as foliar.