Seafood Innovations is making a name for itself around the world with its innovative capabilities.

Industry-scale trials have been carried out at one of Marine-Harvest’s salmon farming plants in Rogaland, Norway of an automated slaughtering machine.

The system has now been trialled in several places around the world and on several fish species.

In the Norwegian trial, salmon were pumped directly from aquaculture pens to a vessel especially outfitted for the trials. The machine kills the fish instantaneously with a blow to the head. Next, the fish are cut for bleeding and transported to a tank containing cold sterile seawater where it is bled out.

Scientists from Fiskeriforskning have confirmed that the fish are killed instantly when the machine delivers a correctly aimed blow.

An article ‘Good News for the Salmon Industry’ in a recent Fiskeriforskning newsletter confirms that the current method using CO2 will be banned from 1 July 2008. 

More details about the device including videos of it in operation can be seen here.

One of the patents associated with the device may be accessed here.

Biofouling presents a severe operational problem to aquaculture.

On fish cages, it restricts water flow through netting which reduces the supply of dissolved oxygen and the removal of excess feed and waste products.

A large mass of fouling can compete with the cultured species for food and space, and can overwhelm flotation capacity.

Current metal-based antifoulants are undesirable for aquaculture because of possible adverse environmental effects, and consumer concerns that may jeopardise market image.

Commercially available, but biodegradable compounds, or naturally occurring antifoulants extracted from marine organisms, may provide an acceptable solution by offering broad spectrum activity, and in the case of natural antifoulants, acting via chemical deterrence rather than toxicity. 

Commercialisation of antifouling technology other than paints is still in its infancy, and few field trials are reported in the literature.

Although there are many antifouling agents and compositions presently available, the methods typically used to protect an object from fouling in an aqueous environment involve applying some form of protective coating to the surface of the object.

Unfortunately, this approach is not suitable for all applications and there is a need for other means of protecting such objects from microbial- or macro-fouling.

New polymer compositions have been developed that contain antifouling agents which have surprising broad-spectrum antifouling characteristics over prolonged periods and at lower concentrations than were previously believed possible. 

Synthetic antifouling agents belonging to the families of isothiazolones, furanones, or combinations thereof have been found to be effective. This invention consists of an antifouling polymer comprising an isothiazolone or one or more furanone antifouling agents, the polymer capable of maintaining broad-spectruin antifouling activity for an extended period. The polymer is used to form a thread which may then be incorporated as part of the thread structure of a multi-stranded netting material. 

The discovery was made by researchers associated with the Aquaculture Cooperative Research Centre.

One of the patent documents related to the invention may be accessed here.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation has published a patent application and search report for a submersible rotatable cage for fish farming. The application was submitted by Canadian company  Open Ocean Systems Inc. 

The cage comprises a central axle, a buoyant structure positioned about the central axle, and a netting attached to the buoyant structure.

The buoyant structure rotates about the central axle while the cage is in a submerged position. The cage can form part of a system, which includes a net cleaning apparatus, a tethering mechanism and sweep net, that forms the basis for underwater fish farming.

The patent application and search report may be reviewed via the free WIPO patent search capability.

In the most common setup for fish farming plants, a number of floating net cages are anchored close to shore using buoys and weights to stabilize the cages in the water.

An optimal installation for fish farms of this sort is in sheltered waters such as bays and fjords and these setups often comprise support frames with gangways for operational purposes, such as maintenance and feeding.

Surface cages, however, are sensitive to severe weather conditions, such as high winds, waves and ice, which can be a serious threat in northern areas.

Submersible cages have been suggested and tested. However, these types of cages have not become commercially feasible due to problems with stability, handling and cost.  The present invention claims to overcome these limitations.

Parasitic nematodes are microscopic and present major problems in the fish filleting industry. Scientists have discovered that light sensors and automation can be combined to deliver a better fillet.

Separating a high quality fish fillet from one of lower quality is an art. It is generally done by hand, based as the fish is being processed.

But a new machine has been trialled on the production of cod fillets to identify defective fillets. Scientists at Nofima Marine have discovered that light can be used to distinguish between high and low quality fillets.

Light

“What we are doing is to illuminate the fish with white light and then use a spectrometer,” says Scientist Karsten Heia.

“In other words, we measure the light coming from the fish, also at wavelengths the eye can’t see.”

Parasitic nematodes, traces of skin remnants, black lining and blood influence the light differently and these differences are registered by the spectrometer. This information is then conveyed to a computer that controls the sorting of the fish fillets.

Why spectroscopy?

This technology fulfils the industry’s requirement for speed. The technology does not affect the fillet and is suitable for detecting quality faults.

“It’s important that the fish is untouched by human hands as it were,” says Heia.

“Earlier this year, the research team tested the machine at a fish processing plant in Vesterålen. We needed to find out whether the machine functioned in commercial production and not just in the lab.”

“The process needs to go so rapidly that the fish can follow the tempo on a normal production line,” says Heia. “Much of the challenge with inventing this has really been to get the machine to work at this speed.”

Requirement

The Norwegian fillet industry has struggled in recent years to earn money and the competition from overseas is increasing.

“It is precisely here than the new machine can assist the industry in Norway,” says Heia.

“I don’t think job losses will result from the industry utilising such a method, but it can be an opportunity to get a far improved sorting of fish and as such improve the quality of the product you and I buy at the fish shop.”

The research was conducted at Nofima. Nofima is a new industry-oriented research group that conducts research and development for aquaculture, fisheries and food industries. Nofima was launched on 22 May 2008 by the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Helga Pedersen.

German company Baader was part of the team that developed this new knowledge. Baader is a world leader in machines for the fishing industry.
The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund and Baader.

The challenge of achieving high quality while processing large volumes of product at high speed is a key issue for the Finfish project. Are you aware of any other projects which have demonstrated the ability to make a strong contribution towards achieving this aim?

Source: Nofima

Fouling in aquaculture relates principally to the growth of marine flora and fauna on submerged installations, including the netting.

Severe fouling results in clogging nets and other cage elements, which impedes the passage of water through and around the enclosure.

The reduction in exchange of water which results can lead to depleted oxygen and elevated ammonia levels, affecting growth and animal health.

In severe cases, fish mortality can be high, severely impacting the economics of the operation.

Fouling affects current-induced drag forces on submerged equipment, representing a potential hazard to the fish cage installation overall.

The present approach to dealing with fouling suffers from a number of disadvantages because present approaches are both ineffective and expensive.

Hence, there is an urgent need either stop fouling altogether or alternatively, to develop cost-effective net and cage cleaning equipment suitable for the various cage systems commercially in use in the fish farming sector.

A consortium has been formed to investigate potential solutions. The consortium coordinator is identified below.

Organisation: SELOY UNDERVANNSSERVICE AS
Department: MAIN DEPARTMENT
Address: Hestoy, HEROY, NORWAY
Contact Person: Name: TROND, Olsen (Mr)
Tel: +47-75068400
Fax: +47-75068401

Further information is available via this link.

Aquaculture is a relatively new industry. Compared to competitors in the animal protein production industry we are relatively small. The players in the animal protein sector are extremely strong, efficient and industrialised by comparison.

Aquaculture production is performed under conditions which promote uncertainty and variability:

• unexpected variations in production volume
• unexpected variations in cost
• unexplained variations in growth and quality
• new diseases and drug resistant pathogen populations
• sudden environmental effects and interactions that are not understood

As a result aquaculture has been seen as highly unpredictable compared to other forms of animal protein production. One outcome from this is that aquaculture has developed in cycles.

If aquaculture can take action to manage down the sources of variation that afflict the industry then it will have stronger foundations on which to base sustained and significant growth. A more predictable process will be translated into more predicable customers for our product and for investment in our companies.

What forms of innovation might underpin a significant improvement in the ability to reduce variability? Should we adopt some of the approaches used by other sectors in the animal protein production industries?

Where do the answers lie?

The purpose of this page is to provide a collection point for innovative aquaculture technologies capable of making a significant contribution towards achieving sustainable large scale aquaculture production. Please take the opportunity to make people aware of technologies that you are keen to see taken up by leaving a reply in the box at the base of this page.

Nutrition

Project focused on developing novel fish feeds, replacing fish oils with vegetable oils. The Project’s objectives included examining the effects of this change on fish metabolism, behaviour and marketability. Also investigated was the impact that the change in diet on the taste of the fish. Results showed that vegetable-oil-based feeds had minor effects on the organoleptic properties of fish in comparison to fish-oil-based feeds. The new feeds also appeared not to impact product quality and storage facilities were considered more important than dietary treatment. Further information about the project can be accessed here.

Finishing Diet

Project involved the development of finishing feeds and evaluation of their impact on growth performance and final product, initially at laboratory scale. The feed quality and the feeding strategies applied were assessed employing quality parameters such as visual appearance, slaughter quality, shelf life, cooking quality, sensorial and nutritional qualities. Verification trials were performed for sea bream and sole in earthen ponds, land-based cultured systems and cages. Two groups of different nutritional history and growth rates were treated with high energy (HE) and low energy (LE) diets. The crude fat was 7% lower in the finishing diet while the protein content was maintained in both diets. Laboratory and farm trials demonstrated that the sea bream growth performance was improved when fed with finishing feed compared to farm feed. More about this project is available here and here.

Nutrition

Project aims to identify the importance of calcium in the diet and other sources and to elucidate the link between this and another physiologically important mineral, phosphorus. Trials were conducted using the sea bream, a very common livestock and commercially important product in the fish farming industry. With low salinity and a calcium-deficient diet the sea bream have automatically limited access to calcium. Under these circumstances, the fish showed marked restriction in growth. More information about the project can be found here.

Consistent Quality Criteria

Project considered the color, shape, texture and odor of various parts of the fish (eyes, skin, gills, etc.) to a simple scale that varies from 0 to 2 (where 0 is the freshest). The various scores are added up and the total (the quality index) determines whether the fish is classified as excellent, good, acceptable or unacceptable quality. Using this Quality Index Method (QIM), the lower the score, the better. With respect to fish muscle analyses, the K1 value is a more appropriate indicator of freshness than the TVB-N value. Since the nutritional value of the fish is an important consideration, the amounts of the beneficial fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were also determined. Finally, since subjectivity plays an important role in the assessment of fish quality, a small (3-5 person) panel of experts should be created. Using these criteria, the fish farmers can quickly check the quality of their fish in a consistent fashion. More about the project is available here.

Plant Protein in Feed

Project focused on the introduction of plant protein sources in fish farm feeds, in an effort to minimise the use of fish meal. A key concern of was the effect of replacing fish meal with plant protein sources on the fish immune system. The rainbow trout and the gilthead sea bream, were chosen as the focus of the study. The analysis included partial and total replacement studies in both species. It was shown that plant proteins enhanced antioxidant defences in both fish species. Total replacement by plant proteins, however, resulted in unfavourable consequences. These effects included reduction in complement activity (affecting immune responses) and liver steatosis (build-up of fat in liver cells). Further studies showed growth impairment in rainbow trout fed solely on plant protein sources. More about the project is available here.

More?

If you are interested in identifying additional innovative aquaculture technologies please use the resources available here.