Pollution prevention and biochemical oxygen demand reduction in a squid processing facility

Fish processing, especially squid, creates high strength biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) wastewater that must be pretreated prior to sewer discharge. This study evaluated (1) new squid processing techniques, (2) advanced biological/chemical treatment technologies to meet local wastewater discharge regulations, and (3) recycling opportunities for materials formerly discarded as waste. Low technology modifications such as improved housekeeping/management systems were implemented in order to obtain initial reductions in BOD loadings. Various high technology separation processes, aimed at removing soluble BOD from the process effluent, were evaluated. A first order cost–benefit analysis based on capital and operating costs, BOD reduction efficiencies, and worker health risk factors indicated that a modified biological trickling filter was the best available pretreatment technology for squid processing wastewater.