New technologies for sustainable farming of Atlantic salmon in semi-closed systems - AquaDome as a full scale test platform

Sea-lice and escapes are considered as challenges for the fish farming industry and raise concerns and debate among the public and in society as a whole in terms of sustainability. One way of reducing these challenges is to farm fish in closed containment systems, or semi-closed containment systems and there are strong opinions that these systems are the only way to achieve a future sustainable aquaculture industry. This project aimed to realize Certus produced by Fiizk - a new semi-closed containment system for farming of salmon. The system consist of a conical bag and with an internal net which make det system escape proof, with optimal water-flow in and out of the system resulting in a good and stable cage-environment for optimal fish health and welfare and which limits introduction and retention of sea-lice larvae. The Certus System is thus considered a sustainable alternative to farming in open net-cages. The project has provided new technological solutions in relation to the control and monitoring of the aquatic environment inside Certus, oxygenation, the use of new strong types of material and new design, as well as generated knowledge and experience for operation and best practices. The technological solutions and know how will facilitate the achievement of both an environmentally and economically sustainable future commercial production of salmon, at the same time not compromising fish health and welfare. The project was divided into six work packages distributed across several themes; from design and installation, monitoring, control and operation of the Certus System to fish health, fish welfare, economics, project leadership and dissemination. It has been a three year project and collaboration between the industry partners Cermaq, AKVAgroup, FiiZk and NCE Aquaculture and with Nofima and the Nord University as R&D partners. Three production cycles have been performed in Certus. Results show good performance of the Certus system as a solid and secure platform, with few incidences during operation, an optimal and stable cage-environment for the fish with low risk of escapees. The biological performance in Certus have been at least as good as, or even slightly better than, in ordinary cages (Growth, mortality and fish-welfare). Winter ulcers have been a concrete fish-health risk in Certus and where there is room for future optimization and improvement of mitigating actions. Sea-lice have not been an issues in Certus and there has been no need for treatments. The technology has come a long way but there is still an opportunity to develop, improve and optimize the system further.

Prosjektet har resultert i et norskprodusert rømningssikkert semi-lukket system (Certus) for produksjon av laks uten behov for lusebehandling og kunnskap og erfaring knyttet til drift av slike: 1. Potensiale for redusert miljøfotavtrykk knyttet til lakselus og rømming i næringen. 2. Suksessfull produksjon i semi-lukket oppdrettssystem kan bidra til aksept for økt produksjon (Politisk, Opinionen) 3. Kunnskapen fra prosjektet har vært brukt opp mot NFD sin utarbeidelse av ny havbruksstrategi. 4. Fiizk konseptet har gått fra pilotering av en merd til kommersiell oppskalering av mange system. 5. Cermaq har investert i ytterligere system globalt.

This project aims to realize The Botngaard System as a new closed cage farming system, for the open ocean and in full scale. The project will provide new solutions for sustainable development of the fish farming industry, within a number of areas. This includes technology, instrumentation and monitoring of water quality and fish welfare, new flexible materials for closed cages and operating manuals for full-scale salmon production. Full scale testing with focus on management, technology, fish health, product quality and economic aspects is necessary to demonstrate proof-of-concept, and to prepare for commercial launch of the innovation. The project will develop and validate technology constructions, instrumentation and operational routines to provide all necessary documentation. The project is organized with six work packages; 1) Design and technological installations and construction parameters, 2) Surveillance and control, 3) Prototype operation for implementation of technology, competence and results, 4) Water quality and light, fish health, welfare and performance, 5) Production cost model and validation 6) Project management and dissemination. A successful project will provide technology and competence with the potential to solve the most challenging bottlenecks for further growth of the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Reduced risk of infection with sea lice and pathogens, reduced risk of escapees, and reduced nutrient discharges will be important benefits. The project has a large potential to renew Norwegian and global salmon farming. Further, the Botngaard System concept has an international potential which could put Norwegian suppliers in a superior position world-wide and contribute to employment and added value in the long-term. Botngaard System is a 3-year project with Cermaq Norway as project owner, AKVAgroup, Botngaard Systems and NCE Aquaculture as industry partners, and Nofima and University of Nordland as R&D partners.