What is fish rendering?
Fish can be broken down (rendered) using heat or pressure to produce fish oil or fish meal. Fish rendering can be done on fishing vessels or on land.
Risk management programmes (RMPs) for rendering
Most fish rendering needs to be done under an RMP.
Risk management programmes (RMPs) for seafood
General information about RMPs, including how to develop, register, operate, and amend
Rendering activities that do not need an RMP
You do not need an RMP for rendering fish taken in New Zealand's exclusive economic zone that is:
- not landed in New Zealand, and
- not called product of New Zealand.
In this case, the product is excluded from the Animal Products Act 1999 and does not need to be covered under an RMP.
This exemption is in clause 262 of the Animal Product Regulations 2021 – NZ Legislation
Limited processing fishing vessels
You also do not need an RMP if you render fish on a limited processing fishing vessel (LPFV). Instead, you should use the LPFV Regulated Control Scheme (RCS).
Find out more about limited processing fishing vessels (LPFVs) and food safety
Rendering code of practice (COP)
The rendering COP has information on rendered animal products requirements. It may help you with creating your RMP.
Code of practice: Rendering [PDF, 802 KB]
Our model of a rendering RMP will also help you develop your RMP.
Generic RMP model for rendering [PDF, 277 KB]
Requirements if you render fish for animal consumption
If you do this, you'll need to meet the requirements in the Animal Product Notice: Production, Supply and Processing [PDF, 2.6 MB]
You also need to check whether you need to meet requirements around pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements.
Pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements
Seafood exporting requirements
If you're planning to export, check the requirements you need to meet.
Who to contact
If you have questions about rendering fish for fish oil or fish meal, email info@mpi.govt.nz
