The latest next-generation closed-containment aquaculture system represent a quantum leap forward, both as a lucrative and low risk business venture as well as the most sustainable and efficient form of aquaculture today, with efficiencies more then tin times conventional fish farms.

Next generation systems resirculate up to 99% of their effluent, have no discharge, use no chemicals or antibiotics, and can be sited close to market, resulting in a fresher product and dramatically lower transportation costs (food miles)

Next-generation aquaculture systems are

defined by the following atributes:

Fully-Intigrated: Systems specifically designed and build for growt of particular species (Versus one-of-a-kind «systems» assembled in an ad hoc fashion).

Total production control: Quarantined systems offer exceptionally high level of control of inputs and growing conditions.

Reproductible Results: Next Generation systems are highly predictable, replicable and scalable.

Ultra-High Effective: Next generation systems have a proven track record of successful economic performance, based on superior quality, concistency of quality and supply, and through economices of scale to defray capital costs.

Competitive & Cost effective: Because of the high level of control of vitually all variables, risk is minimized. Next-generation systems are insurable (including livestock)

Sustainable Practices: Next-generation aquaculture systems dramatically minimize adverse environmental impacts associated with aquaculture. As closed, resirculation systems, there is no effluent or any contact with wild populations. Facilities can be sited close to market, with no impact on costal habitats and dramaticalylower «food miles» required for transportation. Ultra high efficiency means that these systems use a fraction of the feed of open systems. Finally, next generation systems use no cemicals or antibiotics.

Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet har fastsatt nye regler med krav til smittesikring for brønnbåter. Kravene vil bli innført gradvis. – Med det nye regelverket setter vi allerede nå krav til fremtidens norske havbruksnæring, sier fiskeriminister Elisabeth Aspaker.

Fra 1. januar 2016 vil det være krav til at alle brønnbåter skal ha posisjoneringsutstyr som gjør at det er mulig å se og logge båtenes posisjon/seilingsrute. Et slikt krav gjelder allerede i dag for mange fiskebåter. Fra samme tid vil det være et krav om at det om bord i brønnbåten skal finnes utstyr som kontinuerlig registrerer og logger ventilstilling, for å dokumentere om båten tar inn vann i transportbrønnen, slipper ut vann eller går med lukkede ventiler.

Fra 1. januar 2021 skal alle brønnbåter kunne desinfisere transportvannet. Ved transport av smolt skal inntaksvannet til transportbrønnen desinfiseres for å sikre at fisken ikke blir smittet under transporten. Ved transport av slaktefisk skal avløpsvannet fra transportbrønnen desinfiseres for å sikre at slaktefisken ikke smitter annen oppdrettsfisk langs transportruten. Brønnbåter som bare skal transportere settefisk eller stamfisk kan velge å ikke installere utstyr for behandling av transportvann, men da kan de bare godkjennes for lukket transport.

Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet vil følge opp disse kravene med å vurdere behov for ytterligere smittesikring knyttet til ventemerder ved slakterier.

http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/nfd/pressesenter/pressemeldinger/2014/Fastsetter-krav-til-fremtidens-bronnbatflate.html?id=757376

The market for live transport of fish grows simultaneously with the global aquaculture industry and with increased focus on biosecurity, welfare and fish quality, it is clearly a need for renewal and modernization of the global well-boat fleet.

With this in mind we have under development a special-vessel that will have the capability to carry self-floating live fish units, especially designed for the aquaculture industry needs.

Today’s well boats (LFC) spend about 80-85 percent of the time with transportation, remaining are everything from lice treatment, disease treatment, counting, sorting and waste management. The different applications have different requirements w.r.t equipment, equipment which we can adapt to the individual units, and ensure that they are used where needed.

This concept will be open to a variety of new logistical and operational opportunities that will result in lower costs, both in terms of investment and operation, without compromising with fish welfare and environmental concerns.

This well-boat solution may also contribute to faster technological development and innovation. Since replacing the floating units in line with new technology is cheaper than replace or rebuild the entire LFC vessel.

What tasks can one imagine such a well boat can have?

Floating device for transport: In addition to transport live fish, the units can function as open holding pens (with water treatment equipment)

Floating device for quarantine: At the risk of disease, the floating unit can act as a 100 % controlled closed systems with equipment and medication monitoring, which potentially diseased fish can be quarantined. Quarantine units can e.g. be moved to Pre -defined tie-up areas where we can properly treat the fish and prevent contagion to other plants. The unit can also be quarantined for transporting sick fish without major financial consequences for the owner and breeder.

Habituation for large smolt: The ability to survive is affected by water quality, flow rate, temperature, light etc. Deployment of larger smolts will mean that the salmon are fewer average numbers of months in the sea, which helps reduce the risk of financial loss. Operating process can also be controlled so that one can harvest and deliver evenly throughout the year. By using the LF-unit as both smolt acclimation and transport unit avoids stressing the fish unnecessarily and contributes to reduced mortality.

Delousing unit: It is currently required to perform closed bath treatment for removal of lice. This is done by using well boats or specially designed plastic enclosure. Today delousing methods is often complex and involves an increased risk of escape. The present concept could be custom designed just for this purpose, which will provide a more effective and permanent delousing.

Bulk and service unit: execute aquaculture related services like transportation tasks as delivery of food, fuel, waste treatment, moving and washing of cages , etc.

Preventive solutions are robust smolts , good locations / closed systems, disease prevention, gentle handling and complete control of all logistics to and from the facility. It will be the key for sustainable growth in the aquaculture industry.

Norwegian and international aquaculture faces major challenges and our solution will be open to opportunities that will develop / lead the industry forward.