Sharks to be used as feedstock in Greenland
The Greenland shark, one of the largest species of sharks, is a nuisance to fishermen and its meat is toxic to humans but researchers now hope the flesh can be used to create a biofuel for the Inuit community.
Greenland sharks, a major waste product of Greenland’s fishing industry, are the latest product that researchers are seeking to convert into biofuel.
The shark, which Inuits once hunted for its razor-like teeth that they used to make knives and for its liver oil that was used to light homes, has become a problem for the environment. Native to the cold Arctic waters, thousands of the sharks get caught and die in fishermen's nets off Greenland every year. The 23-foot beasts which weigh up to a tonne are thrown back into the sea.
But researchers at the Arctic Technology Centre (ARTEK) are experimenting with ways of using the animal's oily flesh to produce biogas out of fishing industry waste.
The shark meat, when mixed with macro-algae and household wastewater, could serve as biomass for biofuel production.
Biofuel based on sharks and other sea products could supply 13% of energy consumption in the village of Uummannaq with its 2,450 inhabitants, according to estimates.
The project could help the many isolated villages on the vast island to become self-sufficient in terms of energy.
Greenland sharks, a major waste product of Greenland’s fishing industry, are the latest product that researchers are seeking to convert into biofuel.
The shark, which Inuits once hunted for its razor-like teeth that they used to make knives and for its liver oil that was used to light homes, has become a problem for the environment. Native to the cold Arctic waters, thousands of the sharks get caught and die in fishermen's nets off Greenland every year. The 23-foot beasts which weigh up to a tonne are thrown back into the sea.
But researchers at the Arctic Technology Centre (ARTEK) are experimenting with ways of using the animal's oily flesh to produce biogas out of fishing industry waste.
The shark meat, when mixed with macro-algae and household wastewater, could serve as biomass for biofuel production.
Biofuel based on sharks and other sea products could supply 13% of energy consumption in the village of Uummannaq with its 2,450 inhabitants, according to estimates.
The project could help the many isolated villages on the vast island to become self-sufficient in terms of energy.
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