EP2945478A1

EP2945478A1 - Fish attractant composition

Info

Publication number: EP2945478A1
Application number: EP14740218.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Svein KVALVIK; Even Stenberg; Sten Ivar SIIKAVUOPIO; Huaitian Bu; Ferdinand MÄNNLE
Original assignee: Polybait As
Current assignee: Kvalvikbait As
Priority date: 2013-01-17
Filing date: 2014-01-17
Publication date: 2015-11-25
Also published as: NO20130107A1; NO341641B1; EP2945478A4; WO2014112884A1

Abstract

Attractant for fish and method of preparing such attractant, based on raw materia! at least partially made from marine organisms, wherein enzyme is added to the raw material which is thereby hydrolyzed, and a fixation agent is added to the hydrolyzate. The invention also concerns use of such attractant.

Description

Fish Attractant Compositor)

The present invention relates according to a first aspect a method for preparing an attractant and flavoring for fish according to the preamble of claim 1. According to a further aspect the present invention relates to the bait prepared by the method. When fishing, be it by angling or commercial fishing, it has been shown that the ability to catch fish can be greatly increased by the addition of flavorings, called attractants, which is attractive to fish. Such attractants can be used in conjunction with both live and artificial bait.

Such means are known e.g. from ZA 8 206 790 A that deals with artificial bait comprising added flavors and dyes to be attractive to fish. A mixture of grain types, water and hydrogenated fats is included in the bait as flavoring substances. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein and polyhydric alcohols are used to increase the attracting effect on fish. Hydrolyzed protein from marine resources is not discussed. The effectiveness of the bait towards one or more species of fish is neither discussed nor exemplified.

U.S. 2003 066231A discloses a degradable artificial bait for fish based on natural, biodegradable components. Hydrolyzed fish proteins, fish oil, fish meal, crustaceans from the seabed, mussels from the seabed, fish powder, fruit, spices, garlic, garlic oil, neutral L -amino acids can be constituents of the bait. A particular effect of hydrolyzed fish protein or other hydrolyzed protein from marine resources as bait is not discussed. The effect of the bait on one or more specific fish species is not described or exemplified. U.S. Patent No. 4,704,286 A discloses fish bait with a flavoring agent based on a water soluble polymer with slow solubility rate. The preferred polymer is polyvinyl alcohol having a

predetermined degree of hydrolysis of its ester groups to achieve the desired rate of solubility. It may have the physical form of a sheet comprising parallel slots. The flavoring agent comprises gelatin hydrolyzate and beef extractant, and the gelatin hydrolyzate is made by pancreatic digestion of gelatin. Hydrolyzed proteins from marine resources are not discussed. The effect of the bait towards one or more fish species is not discussed or exemplified.

U.S. Patent Application 2004088901 describes an angling system consisting of a rod and reel, including fishing line, at least one artificial or natural bait and a controlled, released fish attractant for applying to said artificial or natural bait. Hydrolyzed proteins from marine resources are, however, not referred to as an attractant for fish.

WO 2004 016098 relates to a feed composition containing hydrolyzed fish protein. The raw material therefore comprises fish waste which is hydrolyzed using enzymes. EP 0301 795 describes a method of treating fish raw material with enzymes to produce a fish meal product. The partially hydrolyzed product is said to be suitable for use in bait and feed.

WO 01/ 28353 deals with protein hydrolyzates and processes for preparing same. It is stated that the protein containing material is from a marine organism, e.g. fish and shrimp. The protein containing material is hydrolyzed and the hydrolyzed proteins are separated and concentrated. It is indicated that protein hydrolyzates have good organoleptic properties and no bitter taste.

CN 1022 32 536 concerns preparation of a savory seafood hydrolyzate prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of waste from the fish and shrimp.

JP S 6349 033 discloses water soluble bait which is prepared by treating e.g. shrimp with proteolytic enzymes.

However, it is still a challenge to provide attractants for fish that are really effective, can be fabricated at low cost, which have long shelf life, which are readily applicable to the bait and which are not easily washed off the bait or degraded, when the bait is located in sea water or freshwater.

Objects It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an effective attractant for fish and flavoring to fish feed which is based on organic, readily available raw materials, is inexpensive to manufacture, has long shelf life, can be fixated and used in a manner similar to natural baits, which dissolves slowly in water and which does not degrade too quickly.

The present invention The above objects are achieved by the method according to the present invention as defined by claim 1

According to a further aspect, the present invention concerns an agent prepared by the above method as defined by claim 29, and use of the attractant as claimed in claim 30.

It should be emphasized that when we in the following refer partly to an attractant/ the attractant, partly a hydrolyzate/ the hydrolyzate, there is no other basic difference between the two other than that the attractant typically comprises a fixation agent that the hydrolyzate does not contain.

The raw materials used in the process can sometimes be obtained in the form of waste from fish processing plants, and is therefore quite inexpensive. The use of such marine organic material thus entails a solution to a pollution problem. By controlled hydrolysis rich aroma substances are released from the solid organic material and taken up in water that is added in a desired amount. The amount of water added is a balance between the desired (low) concentration and the desired low energy consumption. Even at a moderate heating to 50 °C a lot of energy is required if large amounts of water are used. It may therefore be appropriate to use slightly less water than what is convenient from a perspective of reaction rate alone. Thereby, the reactor size may be reduced and thereby also investment costs and energy consumption.

Very important is the fact that the attractant produced by the method is an extremely effective attractant for fish as documented below. However, an additional challenge had to be overcome to make the attractant commercially attractive, namely to give the attractant a form that allows it to be used for an extended period of time in the water before being washed off.

It has been found that a raw material based on marine organic material, including specifically material from shrimp and mussels, provides a hydrolyzate exhibiting an extremely positive effect as attractant for fish. Similarly produced hydrolyzate from capelin showed little effect as bait for cod, but may be suitable for other fish species and under conditions other than those tested. Suitable enzymes for the hydrolysis process are among others animal based proteases such as trypsin, pepsin, plant-derived proteases such as papain, and proteases from microorganisms. The enzymes and thereby the hydrolysis process may be pH sensitive and should be pH adjusted to obtain an optimum result. Hydrolysis processes are furthermore temperature-dependent and generally require some heating to proceed optimally, typically a temperature of about 50 °C. Similarly, hydrolysis processes can be terminated by changing the temperature and/ or pH to a range where the hydrolysis stops. A hydrolysis process which is monitored and terminated without proceeding until it stops by itself, can be denoted a controlled hydrolysis.

Further details of the present invention.

In the following the present invention is described in further detail by way of non-limiting embodiments. Figure 1 shows an apparatus suitable for implementing the process according to the invention.

A raw material tank 11 contains the raw material to be processed. Naturally more than one raw material tank may be used, for example if raw materials of various types are employed. The raw material is fed to a mill 12 for milling and from there to a hydrolysis vessel or reactor 13 where water is added to the raw material and the material is heated to an elevated temperature, typically ca. 50 °C and enzymes are added The residence time in the reactor is typically about. 4 hours. The hydrolyzate is passed on to a coarse filter 14 for removal of solid material. The fluid part proceeds to an ultra-filter 17 permeable by molecules that are smaller than a given maximum size, such as less than a molecular weight of 2000, equivalent to up to approximately 20 amino acids in the chain. Larger molecules can be recycled to be broken into shorter chains. The low molecular weight filtrate continuous to an evaporator where the water is removed to obtain an appropriate solid content in the fluid, which at this stage may be termed a concentrate. The amount of solid can be increased to almost 100 %, for example by spray-drying. Such

concentration increase is effective in reducing transportation costs and to prevent microbial growth in the product. Just before use, it may be appropriate to dilute this concentrate. Addition of fixation agent is not shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 also shows an evaporator 18 and a container for finished product 19

It is often arbitrary whether fixation agent is added to the attractant before or after the attractant is diluted. The fixing agent should be dispersible in water and only slowly releasable or degradable in water. The fixing agent may exhibit an adhesive, swelling or thickening effect or a combined effect which comprises at least two of these effects. The fixing agent is in some embodiments selected from the group consisting of microfibrillar cellulose, modified cellulose.

Microfibrillar cellulose is described by Siro et al. (" Microfibrillated cellulose and new

nanocomposite materials: a review", Cellulose (2010) 17:459-494.)

Modified cellulose may be cellulose ethers or cellulose esters. Typical examples include methylcellulose [ 9004-67-5 ], ethyl cellulose [ 9004-57-3 ], 2- hydroxyethyl cellulose [ 9004-62-0 ], ethyl-hydroxyethyl cellulose [ 9004-58-4 ], hydroxypropyl cellulose [ 9004-64-2 ] hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose[ 9004-65-3 ], sodium carboxymethyl cellulose [ 9004-32-4 ].

Another class of fixation agent is based on fish gelatin or animal gelatin.

A further class of fixation agents is based on fossil-based acrylates and acrylates from renewable resources. Monomer of acrylates are typically selected from sodium acrylate [ 7446-81-3 ],

Isobornyl acrylate [ 5888-33-5 ], 3 sulfopropyl acrylate potassium salt [ 31098-20-1 ], 2 - (dimethyl) aminoethyl acrylate [ 2439-35-2 ], 2- carboxyethyl acrylate [ 24615-84-7 ], hydroxypropyl acrylate [ 25584-83-2 ], hydroxyethyl acrylate [ 818-61-1 ], 4 - hydroksybutyl acrylate [ 2478-10-6 ], poly (ethylene glycol) methylether acrylate [ 32171-39 -4 ], poly (propylene glycol) methylether acrylate [ 50858-51-0 ] and tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate [ 2399-48-6 ]. Acrylates having more than one acrylic double bond per acrylate molecule are cross-linkable thus giving the attractant a form that allows it to be used for an extended period of time in the water without being washed away. Similar applies to other components in the fixation agent with more than one polymerizable double bond per molecule and which can be cross-linked by per se known conditions.

Another class of fixation agents is based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS). This is a class of compounds which typically can be characterized by the general structural formula:

n = 0-12, y = even numbers 8-20 x = 0-20, R¹, R² = H or an organic substituent selected from hydroxyl, condensation products or addition products of one or more types of chemical compounds selected from acids, alcohols, phenols, amines, aldehydes and epoxides, non-substituted saturated CI - C24 alkyl, not substituted unsaturated CI - C24 alkyl, substituted saturated CI - C24 alkyl, substituted unsaturated CI - C24 - alkyl, substituted aryl, non-substituted aryl, non-substituted aliphatic carbonyl, non-substituted aromatic carbonyl, substituted aliphatic carbonyl, substituted aromatic carbonyl wherein one or more carbon atoms in the carbon chains of said compounds optionally are replaced by the elements oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur. POSS is described by Cordes et al. ("Recent Developments in the chemistry of cubic polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes ", Chem Rev (2010) 110:2081-2173) and Mannle et al. ("Polymer nanocomposite coatings based on polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes : route for industrial manufacturing and barrier properties", Journal of Nanoparticle Research (2011) 13:4691-4701). Also thermoplastics may be suitable fixation agent, such as for example polyesters, polyamides, polyester amides, polyurethanes.

Furthermore, thermoset materials may be suitable fixation agent, such as for example cross-linked polyesters, epoxides, polyurethanes.

Furthermore cross-linked polyacrylates be suitable fixation agents and crosslinking can be carried out in the absence or in the presence of hydrolyzate. Suitable cross-linkers may be acrylates of amines having at least two amine groups or alcohols having at least two hydroxyl groups such as polyethylene glycol diacrylates and polypropylene diacrylates. The hydrolyzate can be taken into the fixation agent subsequently of the preparation of the cross-linked polyacrylate.

Moreover a fixation agent may be used which combined with the hydrolyzate gives the attractant a creamy consistency. Such an attractant may be applied to metal or plastic surfaces and remain on the surface even after vigorous stirring in water.

Finally, any combination of two or more of the above mentioned classes of fixation agents may be used.

Preparation of hydrolyzates used in the attractant according to the invention A: Hydrolyzate from Shrimp

Shrimp shells from hand cleaned shrimp were shipped frozen in 10 kg blocks from Lyngen Reker AS. The shells were stored at -20 °C at Nofima in Troms0 before use.

The enzyme Alcalase (subtilisin) was supplied by Novozymes (Denmark) as a liquid concentrate. The enzyme activity was measured by adding enzyme solution to a substrate (8% dissolved casein). The reaction was stopped after 60 minutes by addition of trichloroacetic acid and the remaining amino acids and peptides were measured spectrophotometrically by Lowry's method. Proteolytic activity was measured before use to 60 % of the maximum activity measured in freshly acquired Alcalase. The activity measurement was the basis for the amount of added enzyme during hydrolysis. Specific density of Alcalase was calculated to 1.14 g/ ml. Prefiltration was conducted with bag filters from Allied Filter Systems Ltd, England, of the type

WE100P2VWR (100 microns). Ultra Filtration was carried out with two new polyethersulfone (PES) membrane filters of type PES2 - 383875AN - OX5A with a total filter surface of 13.6 m² and a pore size of 3000 Daltons. The membranes were provided by Due Milj0 AS, and rinsed well with water in the filter system before use. Solids measurements during the preparation process were carried out with a Brix meter, and temperature was measured with an electronic thermometer. Solids measurements of the final product were made by drying at 105 °C to constant weight, and the amount of ash and organic material was determined by combustion at 550 °C to constant weight.

Shrimp shells (300 kg) were thawed and tempered for two days by spreading 10 kg frozen blocks in a cold room at 4 °C. The reactor, equipped with a stirrer, was filled with hot water (approximately 80 °C) and mixed with shrimp shell (300 kg) for a total weight of 800 kg and a final temperature of 50 °C. Alcalase was added to the mixture to a final concentration of 1.14% (w/ w) (or 1% (v/ w)), and the reaction was allowed to run for 4 hours at a constant temperature of 50 °C.

After 4 hours reaction the enzyme was inactivated by heating the mixture to 80 °C by using indirect steam. The heating to 80 °C took a total of approximately 3 hours. The reactor was then covered and allowed to stand for approximately 16 hours. Thereafter, the aqueous phase was drawn down and separated from the undissolved shell through a coarse sieve in the bottom of the reactor. The temperature in the tank after standing for ca. 16 hours was 58 °C. A total of 550 kg water phase was drawn down having a dry matter content (TS) of 8% as measured with a Brix meter. The aqueous phase was before ultrafiltration filtered through bag filter (100 microns) to remove as much as possible of particulate material. It was observed little solid in filters. The filtered aqueous phase was pumped into the feed tank of the ultrafiltration plant. The temperature was then 50 °C and properly adjusted to the filters of the ultrafiltration unit.

The aqueous phase was ultra-filtered in a filter plant from GEA Liquid Processing Scandinavia (GLPs Combi Pilot Plant - Type ) with two polyether sulfone membranes, as previously specified, with a pore size corresponding to 3000 Dalton. The pressure difference across the filter surface (ΔΡ) was held at approximately 1 bar and the temperature was controlled to 50 °C. A pore size of 3000 Dalton means that all molecules with a molecular weight less than 3000 will pass through the filters, while the larger, non-hydrolyzed, proteins will be withheld. The phase that passes through the filters (permeate) was collected for further concentration by evaporation. Filtering speed through the filters was good and 530 kg of permeate was collected over a period of approximately 2.5 hours. Early during the filtration period the dry substance in the permeate was measured by Brix meter to 5 %, while later in the filtration period it was measured to 7.5%. The concentrate (retentate) is the fraction that did not pass through the filters, but was concentrated in the filter plant. The retentate constituted 23.5 kg and had a solids content of 11.8 % at the end of filtration.

The permeate (530 kg) was evaporated in an Alfa -Laval Convap 6x3 evaporator under a vacuum of 0.6 bar and a temperature of 60-65 °C. Evaporated water amounted to 112 kg/ h and the evaporation continued until a residue of 60 kg end product remained. Solids content of the final product was measured to 58 % with a Brix meter. The final product was stored in the cold room at 4 °C.

The example shows that the hydrolyzate according to the invention may be produced in industrially relevant quantities using shrimp as raw material. B: Hydrolyzate of mussels

Hydrolyzate from mussels was produced in a similar manner as hydrolyzate from shrimp. Unsorted mussels of different ages were delivered frozen from Lyngsskjellan AS in boxes with an average gross weight of 13 kg. The mussels were stored at -20 °C until use. Mussels (300 kg) were thawed and tempered for two days by spreading the frozen mussels in 13 kg cartons in a cold room at 4 °C.

The reactor with a stirrer was filled with hot water (approximately 80 °C) and mixed with mussels (300 kg) to a total weight of 800 kg and a final temperature of 48.1 °C. The temperature was increased to 50.7 °C with indirect steam, and Alcalase was added to the mixture to a final concentration of 1.14 % (w/ w) (or 1% (v/ w)). The reaction was allowed to run with circulation for 4 hours at a constant temperature of around 50 °C. The aqueous phase surrounding the shells seemed to circulate, but the shells themselves were not circulated by the stirrer. The pH of the mixture was measured to approximately 6.5.

A control after 2 hours reaction showed that the shells had opened, and that all content was practically gone (only a few byssus threads again). After 4 hours reaction the enzyme was inactivated by heating the mixture to 85 °C by using indirect steam, the heating to 85 °C lasting a total of approximately 1 hour.

The stirrer was removed; the reactor was then covered and allowed to stand for approximately 16 hours. Thereafter, the aqueous phase was drawn down and separated from the remaining shell residues through a coarse sieve in the bottom of the reactor. The temperature in the tank after standing for ca. 16 hours was 56 °C. After draining the remaining shells were examined. All had opened, and there was no residual muscle or byssus threads left. Some sludge was observed together with the shell residues.

The aqueous phase was filtered through bag filter (100 microns) before ultrafiltration to remove as much as possible of particulate material. More solids were observed in the filters than for the corresponding hydrolysis of shrimp shells. What was trapped in the filters, largely appeared to be small shell scale residues that were knocked off by the stirrer in the reactor. The filtered aqueous phase was pumped into the feed tank of the ultrafiltration unit, and ultrafiltration was initiated. The temperature in the first filtrate (the permeate) that came out of the plant was 48.2 °C.

The aqueous phase was ultra-filtered in a filter plant from GEA Liquid Processing Scandinavia (GLPs Combi Pilot Plant - Type R) with two polyether sulfone membranes, with a pore size corresponding to 3000 Dalton. The pressure difference across the filter surface (ΔΡ) was held at approximately 1 bar and the temperatu re was controlled to ca. 50 °C. A pore size of 3000 Dalton means that all molecules with a molecular weight less than 3000 will pass through the filters, while the larger, non-hydrolyzed, proteins will be withheld. The phase that passed through the filters (the permeate) was collected for further concentration by evaporation. The filtration rate through the filters was good, and at the beginning of the filtration a filtration rate of 660 liters/ hour was observed. This rate, however, slowed as the concentrate (retentate) became more and more concentrated. The retentate is the fraction that did not pass through the filters, but was concentrated in the filter plant. The retentate constituted 22.3 kg and had a solids content of 20.8 % at the end of the filtration.

The permeate was evaporated in an Alfa-Laval Convap 6x3 evaporator under a vacuum of 0.6 bar and a temperature of 70-75 °C. Evaporated water corresponded to 120 kg/ h and evaporation continued until a residue of 34.6 kg final product remained. Solids content of the final product was measured to 48.2% with a Brix meter. The final product was stored in a cold room at 4 °C. This shows that all the mussels can be hydrolyzed enzymatically with good results.

The example shows that the hydrolyzate according to the invention may be produced industrially relevant quantities using mussels as raw material.

C: Hydrolyzate from capelin

Hydrolyzate from mussels was produced in a similar manner as the hydrolyzates from shrimps and mussels. Capelin (Mallotus villosus) was delivered frozen from Agnforsyningen AS, Tromso, in boxes with an average gross weight of 20 kg. The capelin had been stored at -20 °C before use. Capelin (320 kg) were thawed and tempered for two days by spreading the frozen capelin in 20 kg cartons in a cold room at 4 °C.

Reactor with a stirrer was filled with hot water (approximately 80 °C) and mixed with whole capelin (320 kg) for a total weight of 800 kg and a final temperature of 38-39 °C. The temperature was increased to 50 °C with indirect steam, and Alcalase was added to the mixture to a final concentration of 1.14 % (w/ w) (or 1% (v/ w)). The reaction was allowed to run with circulation for 4 hours at a constant temperature of around 50 °C. The temperature was continuously adjusted with indirect steam. The capelin was rapidly dissolved at 50 °C and approximately one hour after addition of Alcalase began a layer of fat started to accumulate on top of the reaction mixture. After 4 hours reaction time all the capelin was in solution with the exception of bone fraction. The enzyme was inactivated by heating the mixture to 90 °C by using indirect steam. The heating to 90 °C lasted a total of approximately 1 hour. The stirrer was removed, the reactor was then covered up. A small portion of the mixture

(approximately 5 liters) was drained into a transparent glass beaker and put in a water bath at 90 °C. Temperature regulation of the water bath was turned off. The hydrolyzate in the reaction tank and the hydrolyzate of the water bath were allowed to stand overnight to cool. If there is a lot of fat in the raw material, this is expected to lie as a layer on top of the reaction mixture as the mixture is cooled. The thickness of this fat layer is easier to determine in the transparent beaker than in the reactor. The fat layer should not be drawn off along with the hydrolyzate since this can slow the subsequent ultrafiltration significantly.

After approximately 16 hours only a thin layer of fat was observed on top of the beaker and the reactor. The aqueous phase was drained down and separated from the remaining bone fraction through a coarse sieve in the bottom of the reactor. The temperature in the tank after standing for about 16 hours was 67 °C. The drawdown was slower than in previous hydrolysis of shrimp shells and mussels. The bone fraction was found to lie as a filter in the bottom of the reactor. After screening and prefiltration the temperature was regulated down to approximately 50 °C which was the right temperature for the ultrafiltration. After draining, the remaining bone fraction was examined. There were no remains of muscle left.

The aqueous phase was filtered through bag filter (100 microns) (Figure 5) before ultrafiltration to remove as much as possible of particulate material. Only a little was withheld by the prefilters. The filtered aqueous phase was pumped into the feed tank of the ultrafiltration unit, and ultrafiltration was initiated. The temperature in the hydrolyzate at the start of the ultrafiltration was 38 °C.

The aqueous phase was ultra-filtered in a filter plant from GEA Liquid Processing Scandinavia (GLPs Combi Pilot Plant - Type ) with two polyether sulfone membranes, with a pore size corresponding to 3000 Dalton. The pressure difference across the filter surface (ΔΡ) was held at approximately 1 bar and the temperature was controlled to below 50 °C. A pore size of 3000 Dalton means that all molecules with a molecular weight less than 3000 will pass through the filters, while the larger, non-hydrolyzed, proteins will be withheld. The phase that passed through the filters (permeate) was collected for further concentration by evaporation. The filtration rate through the filters was good and a total of 520 kg filtrate was collected with a Brix solids content of between 4.8% (early filtration) and 5.5 % (late filtration). The retentate is the fraction that did not pass through the filters, but was concentrated in the filter plant. The retentate constituted 15.9 kg after finished filtration. The content of dry matter was not measured.

The permeate was evaporated in an Alfa -Laval Convap 6x3 evaporator under a vacuum of 0.6 bar and a temperature of 70-75 °C. Evaporated water, averaged 120 kg/ hour, but started at a rate of 138 kg/ hr. Evaporation continued until a residue of 32.9 kg final product remained. Solids content of the final product was measured to approximately 60 % with a Brix meter. The final product was placed in cold storage at 4 °C.

The example shows that the hydrolyzate according to the present invention may be produced in industrially relevant quantities using capelin as a raw material.

1 Thickeners in the form of swellable polymers which during swelling absorbs attractant.

The following polymeric materials have been prepared to demonstrate certain aspects or embodiments of this invention:

Polymer 1: Poly (acrylic acid-co-sodium acrylate) 2 mol % cross-linked by N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) Polymer 2:

Poly (acrylic acid-co-sodium acrylate) 1.5 mol-% cross-linked by N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) Polymer 3:

Poly (acrylic acid-co-sodium acrylate) 1 mol % cross-linked by N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) Polymer 4:

Microfibrillated cellulose (M FC) reinforced poly (acrylic acid-co- sodium acrylate), 1 mol % cross- linked by N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) la. Preparation of polymer 1:

10 g of acrylic acid (AA) was partly neutralized by 41.6 g of 2 M NaOH solution to get 60 % degree of neutralization. This process was carried out in an ice bath with continuous stirring to prevent self-polymerization of acrylic acid. After neutralization of the thus prepared solution was transferred to a wide-necked flask, to which 0.4 g of N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) and 13.4 g of water was added. Stirring was conducted with magnetic stirring to obtain a homogeneous solution. The mixture was flushed with N₂ for 30 minutes before it was heated to 70 °C. When the temperature reached 70 °C, ammonium persulfate (0.1 g of ammonium persulfate dissolved in 5 g of water) was injected into the aqueous solution to initiate polymerization. The reaction mixture was kept at 70 ± 0.5 °C under N₂ atmosphere for 3 hours after injection of the initiator. Stirring was stopped when the reaction mixture gelled. After 3 hours, the product was washed thoroughly with water, and then vacuum dried to remove the solvent. Deionized water was used throughout the process.

IB. preparation of polymer 2:

10 g of acrylic acid (AA) was partly neutralized by 41.6 g of 2 M NaOH solution to get 60 % degree of neutralization. This process was carried out in an ice bath with continuous stirring to prevent self-polymerization of acrylic acid. After neutralization of the thus prepared solution was transferred to a wide-necked flask, to which 0.3 g of N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) and 13.4 g of water was added. Stirring was conducted with magnetic stirring to obtain a homogeneous solution. The mixture was flushed with N₂ for 30 minutes before it was heated to 70 °C. When the temperature reached 70 °C, ammonium persulfate (0.1 g of ammonium persulfate dissolved in 5 g of water) was injected into the aqueous solution to initiate polymerization. The reaction mixture was kept at 70 ± 0.5 °C under N₂ atmosphere for 3 hours after injection of the initiator. Stirring was stopped when the reaction mixture gelled. After 3 hours, the product was washed thoroughly with water, and then vacuum dried to remove the solvent. Deionized water was used throughout the process.

1 c preparation of polymer 3:

10 g of acrylic acid (AA) was partly neutralized by 41.6 g of 2 M NaOH solution to get 60 % degree of neutralization. This process was carried out in an ice bath with continuous stirring to prevent self-polymerization of acrylic acid. After neutralization of the thus prepared solution was transferred to a wide-necked flask, to which 0.2 g of N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) and 13.4 g of water was added. Stirring was conducted with magnetic stirring to obtain a homogeneous solution. The mixture was flushed with N₂ for 30 minutes before it was heated to 70 °C. When the temperature reached 70 °C, ammonium persulfate (0.1 g of ammonium persulfate dissolved in 5 g of water) was injected into the aqueous solution to initiate polymerization. The reaction mixture was kept at 70 ± 0.5 °C under N₂ atmosphere for 3 hours after injection of the initiator. Stirring was stopped when the reaction mixture gelled. After 3 hours, the product was washed thoroughly with water, and then vacuum dried to remove the solvent. Deionized water was used throughout the process.

1 d preparation of polymer 4: 10 g of acrylic acid (AA) was partly neutralized by concentrated NaOH solution to obtain 60% degree of neutralization. Concentrated NaOH solution was prepared by dissolving 3.3 g NaOH in 15 g deionized water. The neutralization process was carried out with stirring in an ice bath to prevent self-polymerizing of acrylic acid. The above prepared 28.3 g of acrylic acid/ sodium acrylate solution was loaded into a wide -necked flask, to which 0.2 g of N, N'- methylenebis (acrylamide) was added. After all N, N- methylenebis (acrylamide) was dissolved, 50 g of 1 % dispersion of M FC in water was added to the flask. The mixture was vigorously stirred with a magnetic stirrer to obtain a homogeneous dispersion. The mixture was flushed with N₂ for 30 min before it was heated to 70 °C. When the temperature reached 70 °C, ammonium persulfate (0.1 g of ammonium persulfate dissolved in 5 g of water) was injected into the aqueous solution to initiate polymerization. The reaction mixture was kept at 70 ± 0.5 °C under N₂atmosphere for 3 hours after injection of the initiator. Stirring was stopped when the reaction mixture gelled. After 3 hours the product was rinsed thoroughly with water and then vacuum dried to remove the solvent. Deionized water was used throughout the process. le. warm drying of the polymers 1-4

The polymers 1-4 were cast in rods of typical diameter 20 mm and cut into pieces of typical length 10 mm. The pieces were dried in a heated vacuum chamber at 50 °C and 20 mbar for 48 hours. The polymers 1-4 shrunk considerably.

If. swelling of the polymers 1-4

The dried polymers 1-4 were immersed in distilled water for 15 minutes. The polymers 1-4 swelled considerably. The degree of swelling was measured as water absorption after 15 minutes compared with the dry weight of the respective polymer quality. The results are shown in Table 1: Table 1:

Sample Weight before Weight after Water absorption

swelling[g] swelling [g] during swelling

Polymer 1 1.5842 3.1216 97 %

Polymer 2 1.0858 2.3442 116 %

Polymer 3 1.6099 4.5282 181 %

Polymer 4 1.0279 3.2827 219 % Water absorption under swelling increases with decreasing amount of cross-linking. Water used for swelling may be replaced by hydrolyzate from marine raw materials to prepare attractant for fish according to the present invention. lg. mechanical testing of polymers 1-4 The swollen polymers 1-4 were kept at room temperature in a sealed polypropylene container for 16 hours. A hole of about 3 mm diameter was drilled in samples of the polymers 1-4 and the samples were placed on a nail arranged outside the center of a rotating disc. The distance between the top and the center axis was 70 mm. The disc is rotated in one minute at 100 [rpm]. Afterwards, the rotation rate was increased by 100 [rpm] and held for one minute. The rotation rate is increased incrementally by repeating the last step until the polymer sample breaks and leaves the rotating disc. The maximum reported rotation rate was recorded as a result. The results are shown in Table 2:

Table 2:

All samples show high mechanical stability under the applied conditions. The sample reinforced with MFC shows the highest mechanical stability. At the same time the sample reinforced with M FC exhibits highest water absorption during swelling. Attractant according to the invention with relatively low chemical crosslinking and the inclusion of degradable MFC has very good prospects of being able to quickly degrade in seawater or fresh water after having been used as an attractant. 2 Preparation of attractant by UV -induced or peroxide induced crosslinking of the fixation agent

In a similar way as the la-Id, attempt was made to prepare attractant with fixation agent using acrylates and partly by use of microfibrillar cellulose. Water in the recipe according to la-Id was partially replaced with hydrolyzate to achieve different attractant concentrations in the fixed attractant. Same peroxide as under la-Id was used in half of the examples. In the other half UV- curing was used. UV curing was performed with a UV source of type Dymax Light Curing Systems (USA), Model 1200 Focused Beam UV- A (365 nm) with typical effect of 375 mW/cm². As the initiator 0.5 % Irgacure 1800 (BASF, DE) was used. The initiator was added to the acrylic compositions as solution in 2 -butoxyethanol (10% w/ w). Table 3

It is evident from above that the choice of method for curing, type of attractant, attractant solids of the formulation and the presence of the M FC have significant influence on whether fixated attractant according to the present invention can be prepared. Large amount of attractant solids such as 20.8 % prevents gelling and thereby preparation of fixated attractant according to the invention. Table 4 below shows the results of in vivo experiments conducted with three series of the hydrolyzate of the present invention. In the first series a raw material consisting of capelin (hydrolyzate C) was used, in the second series a raw material of shrimp (hydrolyzate A) was used, and in the third series a raw material of mussels (hydrolyzate B) was used.

Attempts to document the various hydrolyzates' attracting effect on cod was done in a tank of 6m diameter, with a water volume of 28 m³ where the residence time was recorded with video and in which fish behavior was recorded in different parts of the vessel. Hydrolyzate dosed was diluted at a ratio of 1ml/ 1000 ml (hydrolyzate/ water). Hydrolyzate and the water were pumped into the test vessels at a rate of 27.8 ml/ min.

Experimental Setup hydrolyzate preference

1 24 hours before the test was started, individual fish, totaling six cod fed test vessels.

2 Started with clean saltwater added via pump for 20 min.

3 Injected doses of randomly selected hydrolyzate C (a hydrolyzate of capelin) for 20 min.

4 Flushed with sea water for 2 hours to clean vessel for odor of hydrolyzate.

5 Injected doses hydrolyzate A (a hydrolyzate of shrimp) for 20 min

6 Flushed with sea water for 2 hours to clean the tub for the odor of hydrolyzate

7 Injected doses of hydrolyzate B (a hydrolyzate of mussels).

8 This procedure was repeated with six specimen of cod with random sequence of the three hydrolyzates

9 Applied experiments with attractant in bait, as follows: a Dummy bait b Bait with hydrolyzate A c Bait with hydrolyzate B d Bait with hydrolyzate C

The fish consistently took the bait 7b, 7c. The order of attractant A, B, C was changed from test to test. The fish' positions in the vessel were filmed and analyzed. Observations were made before and after attractant was added to the water Capelin hydrolyzate Shrimp hydrolyzate Mussel hydrolyzate

Time in sector (%) # Inspections Time in sector (%) # Inspections Time in sector (%) # Inspections

Date Fish # Salt water! Hydrolyzate Salt water ! Hydrolyzate Salt water! Hydrolyzatei Salt water ! Hydrolyzate Salt water! Hydrolyzate Salt water! Hydrolyzate

12 1 6.4 7.4 0 0 16.3 18.4 0.0 4.0 ! - ! - ! - !

15 2 15.3 15.5 0 0 13.4 25.5 o 1 20.2 20.2 0 2

17 3 8.6 0.5 o 0 6.5 21.1 2 16 10.8 14.7 0.0 10.0

18 4 37.1 22.1 2 1 9.4 23.5 0 13 29.8 61.5 5 30

19 5 ! - ! - ! - ! - ! - ! - 23.5 12.8 1 2

24 6 12.4 23.2 0 0 6.6 42.2 0 13 19.1 30.25 0 5

Average 16.0 13.7 0.4 0.2 10.4 26.1 0.4 9.4 20.7 27.9 1.2 9.8

As apparent from the measurement series in Table 4, there is little effect of the hydrolyzate from capelin as attractant. With regard to the measurement series on shrimp, we see a very clear and strong positive effect, as the fish in average stayed 2.5 times as long in the relevant sector of the tank. Finally, with regard to the mussels, we see in a similar manner that the hydrolyzate was effective as an attractant, since fish in average stayed 35 % more in the sector of the tank when the attractant was present. Furthermore, a supply of shrimp hydrolyzate and mussel hydrolyzate unambiguously cause positive increased visits (inspections) of the hose orifice at which hydrolyzate enters the vessel (table 4). This contributes to verify that these two hydrolyzates are particularly well suited as attractants.

Selection of marine raw materials has significant influence on how well the attractant works towards cod. It is surprising that capelin, which is commonly used as bait, has little effect as attractant for cod. The impact of the different attractant on different fish species, in different environments, at different temperatures, etc. may vary, and it will be up to a person skilled in the art, in each case to identify the best suitable raw material for the preparation of attractant through the method of the invention.

3 Preparation of fixated attractant with spreadable consistency by use of gelatin and MFC

3a.

0.5 g gelatin (gelatin, type A: from pig skin, purchased from Sigma) was mixed with 4.25 g of water. The mixture was heated in a water bath at 70 °C under continuous stirring. After the gelatin powder was completely dissolved in water and a clear solution obtained, 0.25 g attractant 1 (solvent water, 40% solids) was added to the gelatin solution, and 5 g of microfibrillated cellulose (M FC; 1.66% dispersion in water, delivered from Borregaard (NO), batch No.: H205NN212, quality "normal") was slowly added to the solution. The mixture was vigorously stirred with magnetic stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and a gel containing 5 wt% gelatin, 1% by weight attractant 1 and 0.83 % by weight M FC.

3b.

0.5 g gelatin (gelatin, type A: from pig skin, purchased from Sigma) was mixed with 4.25 g of water. The mixture was heated in a water bath at 70 °C under continuous stirring. After the gelatin powder was completely dissolved in water and a clear solution obtained, 0.25 g attractant 2 (solvent water, 40% solids) was added to the gelatin solution, and 5 g of microfibrillated cellulose (M FC ; 1.66% dispersion in water, delivered from Borregaard (NO), batch No.: H205NN212, quality "normal") was slowly added to the solution. The mixture was vigorously stirred with magnetic stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and a gel containing 5 wt% gelatin, 1% by weight attractant 2 and 0.83 % by weight M FC.

3c.

0.3 g gelatin (Gelatina, 24411500, Norsk Medisinaldepot/Nl, 10/96) was mixed with 4.25 g of water. The mixture was heated in a water bath at 70 °C under continuous stirring. After the gelatin powder was completely dissolved in water and a clear solution obtained, 0.25 g attractant 1 (solvent water, 40% solids) was added to the gelatin solution, and 5 g of microfibrillated cellulose (M FC ; 1.66% dispersion in water, delivered from Borregaard (NO), batch No.: H205NN212, quality "normal") was slowly added to the solution. The mixture was vigorously stirred with magnetic stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and a gel containing 5 wt% gelatin, 1% by weight attractant 1 and 0.83 % by weight M FC.

3d.

0.3 g gelatin (Gelatina, 24411500, Norsk Medisinaldepot/Nl, 10/96) was mixed with 4.25 g of water. The mixture was heated in a water bath at 70 °C under continuous stirring. After the gelatin powder is completely dissolved in water and a clear solution obtained, 0.25 g attractant 2 (solvent water, 40% solids) was added to the gelatin solution, and 5 g of microfibrillar cellulose (M FC ; 1.66% dispersion in water, delivered from Borregaard (NO), batch No.: H205NN212, quality "normal") was slowly added to the solution. The mixture was vigorously stirred with magnetic stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and a gel containing 5 wt% gelatin, 1% by weight attractant 2 and 0.83 % by weight M FC.

Attractant from 3a-3 was filled on disposable syringes with volume 5 ml and squeezed out of the syringe into a string of approximately 2 mm diameter. The string has good adhesion to various surfaces, including steel. To test adhesion, a string of approximately 1 cm was placed on one end of a spatula made of stainless steel with a length of 12 cm. The spatula joins the other end attached to a rotation shaft of a motor and rotated at 300 revolutions per minute. The attractant from 3a- d stuck to the spatula. Four spatulas with attractant from 3a-3d were lowered into four beakers with approximately 1 liter of fresh water each. It was periodically observed whether the attractant detaches from the spatula. After 72 hours all attractants from 3a - 3d still were stuck to the spatulas. The test shows that the attractant with spreadable consistency is suitable as attractant for fishing. Preparation of bait with a high mechanical stability and resilience according to the invention

Preparation of the fixation agent in the presence of hydrolyzate (attractant) by peroxide -initiated polymerization

20 g acrylic acid (AA) was neutralized with concentrated NaOH solution to obtain 60% degree of neutralization. The concentrated NaOH solution was prepared by dissolving 6.7 g NaOH in 30.3 g of deionized water. This neutralization process was performed with stirring in an ice bath to prevent self - polymerization of acrylic acid.

The above prepared 57 g of acrylic acid/ sodium acrylate solution was transferred to a wide- necked flask to which 1.94g of PEG diacrylate (average Mn 700) was added. After dispersion of the PEG diacrylate 11.76 g of 8.5% M FC water dispersion and 38.78 g of the attractant solution of Example A, which was diluted down to 40 % solids, were added to the flask The mixture was stirred vigorously with a magnetic stirrer to obtain a homogeneous dispersion. The mixture was purged with N₂ for 30 min before it was heated to 70 °C. When the temperature reached 70 °C, ammonium persulfate aqueous solution (0.6 g ammonium persulfate dissolved in 10 g of water) was injected to initiate polymerization. The reaction mixture was kept at 70 ± 0.5 °C under N₂ atmosphere for 3 hours after the injection of the initiator. Stirring was stopped when the system was gelled. After 3 hours, the product was flushed thoroughly with water.

The crosslinking of attractants which are cross -linked with PEG- acrylate is ester -based and thus hydrolyzable. This ensures a reasonably rapid degradation of attractant that goes astray during fishing. The fixation agent is mainly based on acrylic acid, cellulose (MFC) and PEG (polyethylene glycol). M FC is prepared from renewable resources, acrylic acid can be produced from renewable resources with lactic acid as raw materials, and PEG can be prepared from renewable resources with ethanol as feedstock.

Solids content from the hydrolyzate in the attractant is 12.9 % of the total weight. The attractant shows high mechanical stability and elasticity and is suitable to replace attractants based on fish in industrial fishing. Preparation of fixation agent without the presence of hydrolyzate (attractant)

10 g acrylic acid (AA) was neutralized with concentrated NaOH solution to obtain 60% degree of neutralization. The concentrated NaOH solution was prepared by dissolving 3.3 g NaOH in 15 g of deionized water. The neutralization process was performed with stirring in an ice bath to prevent self - polymerization of acrylic acid.

The above-prepared 28.3 g of acrylic acid/ sodium acrylate solution was transferred to a wide- necked flask in which 0.97 g of PEG diacrylate (average Mn 700) was added. After dispersion of PEG diacrylate 5.88 g of 8.5% M FC water dispersion was added to the bottle. The mixture was stirred vigorously with a magnetic stirrer to obtain a homogeneous dispersion. The mixture was purged with N₂ for 30 min before adding photo initiator Inga Cure 1800. O.lg Inga Cure 1800 was dissolved in 5 g of 2 - butoxyethanol first and then added to the reaction mixture to obtain a homogeneous dispersion by stirring with N₂ purge. The reaction mixture was then exposed to UV light (DYMAX light curing system, Model 1200) for 99 seconds to initiate the reaction.

Preparation of attractant from fixation agent which was prepared without presence of hydrolyzate In order to prepare the attractant according to the invention a circular piece of gel (diameter 22 mm, height 10 mm) was immersed in 40 % solution of the hydrolyzate of Example A. After two hours the color of the gel changed from off- white to light brown with strong odor of attractant. At the same time the gel shrank slightly with a weight loss of 4%. The shrinkage continued for several days until the weight increased again. After 20 days, the weight of the gel was constant and approximately the same level as before the immersing. The gel is an attractant according to the present invention.

The attractant was then immersed in artificial seawater (prepared from sodium chloride 26.726 g, magnesium chloride 2.260 g, magnesium sulfate 3.248 g, calcium chloride 1.153 g, sodium bicarbonate 0.198 g, distilled water ad 1000 g). After 1 hour the seawater had acquired strong odor from hydrolyzate and a slight yellowish color. After 20 hours the sea water had a strong odor from hydrolyzate and was clearly tawny. The attractant was separated from the seawater and split in two. The color and smell of the hydrolyzate had virtually disappeared from the outer part of the attractant while both color and smell were left in the middle part of the attractant.

The crosslinking of attractants which are cross -linked with PEG- acrylate is ester-based and thus hydrolyzable. This ensures a reasonably rapid degradation of attractant that goes astray during fishing. The fixation agent is mainly based on acrylic acid, cellulose (MFC) and PEG (polyethylene glycol). M FC is prepared from renewable resources, acrylic acid can be produced from renewable resources with lactic acid as raw materials, and PEG can be prepared from renewable resources with ethanol as feedstock.

The attractant shows high mechanical stability and elasticity and is suitable to replace attractants based on fish in industrial fishing. Preparation of fixation agent with a creamy consistency and the addition of hydrolyzate

Component A:

Hydrolyzed and condensed 3 - aminopropyl triethoxysilane (HAPS) was prepared as described in Journal of Nanoparticle Research (2011), Vol 13 (10), 4692. 2000 g HAPS with ethanol as solvent and 50 % solids were added to a 10L reactor with oil thermostat. HAPS was heated under slight vacuum (800 mbar) to reflux. 5089 g of Araldite DY - E (glycidyl ether of C12 - C14 alcohol) is added slowly by suction so that reflux is still controlled (exothermic reaction). After addition of Araldite DY -E, the reaction mixture was cooled to 40 °C. 3099g erucic acid was added as solid. The reaction mixture was then heated to reflux and held there for 30 minutes. After cooling to approximately 25 °C, 10187 g viscous, oily liquid with a solids content of 89.8 % was obtained. Component B:

600 g of component A is set in a beaker. 400 g of 8.5% M FC aqueous dispersion is added and the mixture is homogenized with a homogenizer (Silverson L4R).

Paste 1:

1000 g of component B are mixed by mechanical stirring and heated to 50 °C with 500 g of hydrolyzate from Example A (58 % solids). A paste with distinct odor from hydrolyzate can be readily applied to fishing gear is thus obtained.

To test the durability of the paste under the conditions prevailing during fishing, the paste was applied in a 2.1 mm thick layer on a metal stirrer. The agitator is immersed in artificial seawater and rotated at 300 revolutions per minute for 2 min. The seawater obtained a distinct odor from the hydrolyzate and a tawny color. The paste actually still remained completely on the stirrer. The test shows that the attractant with creamy texture is suitable as attractant for fishing.

Component C:

17.4g of component A and 39. lg beeswax were added to a 1 liter beaker. The mixture was heated to 60 °C so that all the beeswax melted. 78.3 g of 8.5% M FC aqueous dispersion was added slowly with mechanical stirring (Heidolph RZR2020) to obtain a homogeneous mixture. Paste 2:

65.2 g hydrolyzate from Example A, which beforehand was diluted to 40% solids, was added to component C directly after preparation. By mechanical stirring a paste with 8.7% dry matter content of the hydrolyzate was obtained. To test the durability of the paste under the conditions prevailing during fishing, the paste was applied in a 2.1 mm thick layer on a metal stirrer. The agitator was immersed in artificial seawater and rotated at 300 revolutions per min for 2 min. The seawater obtained a distinct odor from the hydrolyzate and a tawny color. The paste actually still remained completely on the stirrer. The test shows that the attractant with creamy consistency is suitable as attractant for fishing. These examples show that fixated attractants according to the invention meet major requirements for use in angling and industrial fishing.

With regard to the attractant and flavoring according to the present invention, this can be given many different forms and consistencies and it will be up to the skilled person in the art to choose the form, concentration and consistency on the basis of experience. As already mentioned, it is equally suited for angling as for commercial fishing. Among some preferred examples may be mentioned: as attractant, flavoring and nutrient source in starter feeds for marine fish larvae and juveniles, such as cod, halibut, wrasse and lumpfish,

long acting attractant in pot fishing for cod, saithe, haddock, king crab, lobster, crabs, crayfish,

attractant applied to yarn to increase catches,

attractant on a hook during jigging fishing to increase the amount of catch,

attractant to lure eating fish over from one fish cage to the next in order to separate eating from not eating wild fish such as cod, saithe and haddock,

- to camouflage negative taste of medicated fodder, to get the fish to eat it,

attractant in feed for broodstock, salmon smolt, salmon in seawater at low temperatures to stimulate increased feed intake.

Claims

I. Method of preparing attractant and flavoring for fish based on a raw material at least partially made of marine organisms, characterized in that enzyme is added to the raw material which is thereby hydrolyzed, and that a fixation agent is added to the hydroiyzate,

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the raw material is heated to about 50 ° C.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said hydroiyzate is ultra-filtered to ensure a given maximum number of amino acids in the peptide chain of the hydroiyzate.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the marine organisms at least partly are waste of other processes.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the marine organisms containing at least one of the mussels and shrimp.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrolyzed raw material is concentrated to a liquid having a solids content of about 40 % by weight.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrolyzed raw material is separated into a solid residue which is used for other purposes while only the liquid part, after addition of the fixation agent is used as attractant.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the attractant is diluted with up to 30,000 parts of water per. 1 part attractant.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sequence of heating and addition of enzymes is arbitrary.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the order of addition of the fixation agent and dilution is arbitrary.

II. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected among fixation agents which are dispersible in water.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected among fixation agents which are slowly soluble in water.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from agents acting as an adhesive or a thickener or both an adhesive and a thickener.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is organic-based.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from the group consisting of microfibrillar cellulose and modified cellulose.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fixation agent is selected from the group methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, 2- hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected among fish gelatin or animal gelatin.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from fossil-based acrylates and acrylates from renewable resources; the monomer of acrylates typically selected from sodium acrylate, Isobornyl acrylate, 3 - sulfopropyl acrylate potassium salt, 2 - ( dimethyl ) aminoethyl acrylate, 2- carboxyethyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, 4 - hydroxybutyl acrylate, poly (ethylene glycol) methylether acrylate, poly ( propylene glycol ) methylether acrylate and tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent completely or partly may be characterized by the general structural formula:

where n = 0-12, y = even number from 8 to 20, x = 0-20, ¹, R² = H or any organic substituent selected from hydroxyl, condensation or addition products of one or more types of chemical compounds selected from acids, alcohols, phenols, amines, aldehydes and epoxides, non- substituted saturated CI - C24 alkyl, non-substituted unsaturated CI - C24 alkyl, substituted saturated CI - C24 alkyl, substituted unsaturated CI - C24 - alkyl, substituted aryl, non-substituted aryl, non-substituted aliphatic carbonyl, non-substituted aromatic carbonyl, substituted aliphatic carbonyl, substituted aromatic carbonyl, wherein in the carbon chains of said compounds optionally one or more carbon atoms are replaced by the elements oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from thermoplastics, such as, for example, polyesters, polyamides, polyesteramides, polyurethanes and thermoset materials such as cross-linked polyesters, epoxides, polyurethanes.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the enzymes to be added are selected from the group consisting of animal based proteases such as trypsin, pepsin, plant-derived proteases such as papain, and proteases from microorganisms.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from cross-linked polyacrylates.

23. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from cross-linked polyacrylates which are cross-linked in the absence of the hydrolyzate.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from cross-linked polyacrylates which are cross-linked in the presence of the hydrolyzate.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected from cross-linked polyacrylates and the cross-linker is selected from polyethyleneglycol diacrylates and

polypropylene diacrylates.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected among cross-linked polyacrylates and the hydrolyzate is absorbed in the fixation agent after preparation of the cross- linked polyacrylate.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected so that the attractant has a creamy consistency.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fixation agent is selected so that the attractant has a creamy consistency, may be applied to metal or plastic surfaces, and remains on the surface even after vigorous stirring in water for 2 minutes.

29. Attractant for fish based on marine organisms, characterized by being prepared as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28.

30. Use of an attractant for fish as claimed in claim 29 to at least one of:

attractant and nutrient source in starter feeds for marine fish larvae, such as cod, halibut, wrasse and lumpfish,

long lasting attractant in pot fishing for cod, saithe, haddock, king crab, lobster, crabs, crayfish,

attractant applied to yarn to increase catches,

attractant on a hook during jigging fishing to increase the amount of catch,

attractant to lure eating fish over from one fish cage to the next in order to sort eating from not eating wild fish such as cod, saithe and haddock, to camouflage negative taste of medicated fodder, to get the fish to eat it,

taste supplementation in fodder for broodstock, salmon smolt, salmon in seawater at low temperatures to stimulate increased feed intake, through improved taste of the fish meat.