Aquaculture Scoop is a magazine for aquaculture professionals worldwide
Issue 07 / December 2014 Risk Management by Cedric Audor, Guian SA
Site & Equipment Safety
Expo list
Water Quality
Top events related to aquaculture from around the world, on p. 26
Gael Force Group
Mooring Systems
Technology and Innovation in the industry
Aquaculture the natural way
18 GLOBAL EVENTS: We list the world’s top industry events. PAGE 26
Flexlink grid mooring system: Marine Harvest Scotland Barra site Ground-breaking mooring system from Mørenot Aquaculture
SITE AND EQUIPMENT SAFETY
Gael Force Group Read more on page 12
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Risk Management p.5
Sustainability p.24
Seafood now provides more than half of the world's protein.
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SEAFOOD ROUNDUP
Editor’s Comment
The last issue of the year Welcome to the latest issue of Aquaculture Scoop. In this issue we take a look at Risk Management in Aquaculture. We learn about Site and Equipment Safety courtesy of Gael Force Group and ground breaking innovation in Mooring Systems from Mørenot. We also look at interesting information on water quality technologies and feature a story on best practice for Aquaculture Sustainability. With many events coming up why not visit our website and download the latest 2015 wall planner.
Visit us online at www.aquaculturedirectory.co.uk
Risk Management by Cedric Audor, Guian SA
Site & Equipment Safety Gael Force Group
Mooring Systems
Technology and Innovation in the industry
Water Quality
Aquaculture the natural way
Sustainability
4 Strategies to Get Aquaculture Growth Right
Published by: NISA Media Ltd 14 Clarke Way Cheltenham GL50 4AX United Kingdom
Editorial Manager
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Nicky Barnes Tel: +44 117 2306494 Email: nbarnes@aquaculturedirectory.co.uk
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News Editor Martin Little Email: mlittle@aquaculturedirectory.co.uk
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Aquaculture Scoop August 2014
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www.aquariuslawyers.com.au
mailto:info@aquariuslawyers.com.au
More information:
Risk Management
Trevor Meyer Global Aquaculture Services for GUIAN S.A Tel. +35 67 9692718 Email: trevor@globalaquaservices.com CĂŠdric Audor Aquaculture Insurance Broker - GUIAN S.A Tel. + 33 6 19 76 47 52 e-mail : cedricaudor@gmail.com
Risk Management in Aquaculture: Mooring Systems by Cedric Audor, Guian SA
The farming of fish in cage systems is subject to a variety of risks, including disease, predation, water quality issues and equipment failure. Equipment failure can arise during adverse environmental conditions, such as high wind velocities and heavy wave action caused during storm where cages are moored in groups by way of inter-connected mooring systems such as submerged grids. Consequently an understanding of the risks associated with mooring systems, and how best to manage those risks, is essential to successful farm management. Any assessment of risk for a mooring system can be divided into two main parts: 1) Is the mooring system appropriate for the conditions expected at the site? 2) Is the mooring system regularly inspected and maintained to a sufficient standard to maintain its minimum design strength?
Mooring design Certificate from supplier or designer of mooring system
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
Any mooring system should be appropriate for the environmental conditions expected at the site and should be designed to accommodate all expected husbandry operations, including the use of such equipment as feeding barges and work boats where necessary. For example, salmon farms using well boats will need to have in place sufficient mooring systems for the well boats in addition to the cage facilities. Consequently, any cage aquaculture operation should take great care in designing and installing the correct specification of mooring system. In some respects the mooring system of a cage farm can be considered equivalent to a building’s foundations, since the integrity of the mooring system will affect the security of the cages, nets and fish stocks held in those cages. The mooring system of a cage aquaculture operation should be designed by a company or consultant with demonstrable experience in this sector. In most cases the supplier of the cages or the mooring materials chosen for the fish farm will provide a full mooring specification based on an analysis of the expected environmental
conditions at the site and the equipment to be used. A mooring system designed by a cage manufacturer or a reputable supplier of mooring equipment, and certified by that company as being appropriate for the conditions expected at the site, will reduce the risk of mooring system failure caused by its unsuitability for any particular location or use.
Mooring system analysis For pre-existing farms without a clear and approved mooring design, an analysis can be carried out of the existing facility leading to an assessment of the suitability of the mooring system for the expected conditions at the site. A number of companies offer mooring analyses of varying complexity and cost, and insurance risk surveyors will often carry out an analysis as part of a risk survey. However, the accuracy of this analysis is only as good as the data provided by the cage farm client, and so great care should be taken in providing the most accurate data possible for this analysis. The simplest and most commonly employed analysis is known as a
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Risk Management
quasi-static analysis. This is a mathematical model of the forces exerted on the cage facility through wind and current action. To make this calculation, details of the size, orientation and geometry of the cages and nets are required together with an accurate estimate of maximum expected wind speed and current velocity at the site. This data is then input to arrive at an estimated total loading force to which the cage facility can be expected to be subjected to during the worst expected wind and current conditions. To this total actual load force a safety factor is added, varying according to the type of mooring component, to arrive at a specification of mooring component considered appropriate for that particular cage facility. More complex dynamic analyses may also be carried out, which take into account the dynamic content of the
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
various forces exerting on the cage facility, particularly wave action. Such analyses are often more expensive but might be considered for more extreme cage site environments exposed to significant wave action. Any analysis will involve a questionnaire being provided to the client, asking for details of the number, size, shape and construction material of the cages in use, the dimensions and mesh size of the nets to be used, details of the net weighting system employed and details of any other equipment which might be connected to the mooring system, such as work boats, feeding systems, rafts, etc. This data is normally relatively easy to obtain and submit. The environmental data required for the analysis is usually more difficult to obtain but is critical to the accuracy of the analysis. Where possible, measured wind and current data for the site should be used to arrive
at a safe maximum velocity for the analysis, typically those wind and current speeds which might be expected once in every 50 years. Many cage operations require such an analysis to be carried out as part of their original permitting requirements. Where such primary data is not available, maximum wind and current speeds should be obtained from meteorological stations in the area or other sources available in the public domain. Obtaining maximum current velocity data may be problematic, since actual long-term current measurements at particular cages sites are often lacking. Where significant current action is present, the accurate estimation of maximum current speed is critical to the mooring design since current forces are proportional to the square of their velocity and so a slight over-estimate of current velocity will result in a significant over-estimate of mooring component strength requirements. Visual estimates of current speed are notoriously unreliable. Consequently, it is recommended that actual current measurements be taken at all cage sites known to be subject to significant current action. Measurements should be taken over a period of at least 15 days, to include a neap tide and spring tide. Since the strongest tidal currents of the year will occur during the equinoxes (20-21 March and 22-23 September of each year) an adjustment should be made to estimate the maximum tidal current from the measured readings. Weather conditions, in particular wind speed and direction, should also be recorded so that the wind-driven aspect of the total current measured can be estimated.
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Risk Management
Although direct current measurements may be expensive and time-consuming to obtain, the additional cost of unnecessarily large mooring components in the event of an over-estimate of current speed, or the cost of a stock loss from mooring component failure in the event of an under-estimate of current speed, are certain to be greater. Once the tidal component of the current velocity has been arrived at, a component for wind-driven surface currents should be added. This should be calculated as 2% of the sustained maximum wind speeds expected at the site (for example, a force 8 storm can be expected to produce a surface wind-driven current speed of 0.68-0.8 knots). It must be noted that some mooring analysis software will automatically calculate this wind-driven component from the maximum wind speed data provided.
Workboats An allowance must be made for the tying of large workboats onto cages or mooring lines during routine husbandry procedures. A large workboat tied to a cage side-on to a strong wind and current can exert significant additional drag forces on a mooring system. Where large workboats are routinely employed, they should either be provided with separate dedicated moorings or, if they do need to be tied to the mooring system or cages for any reason, the load forces of the boat should be incorporated into the load calculations for the mooring system.
Mooring components
www.innovationsinagriculture.com
All components of a mooring system should be accompanied by a certificate from the manufacturer detailing the minimum working load or minimum breaking load (MBL) of that component. All components should be resistant to
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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Risk Management
corrosion and appropriate for use in seawater.
Seabream and Seabass cages in mediteranean sea
Mooring maintenance and inspection A well designed and thorough mooring inspection and maintenance programme is essential to maintain the mooring system in an optimum state of repair. Since the marine environment is highly dynamic and corrosive, all mooring system components are subject to constant wear and tear and require regular inspection to ensure that each component is maintained above its minimum strength requirements for the mooring system in question. An effective inspection and maintenance programme will also be able to forecast the expected deterioration of each component over time, and thus minimise the risk of unexpected component failure between inspections. Each cage installation will be subject to different requirements for inspection and maintenance procedures due to the wide range of cage and mooring system designs in use and the different environments in which each cage installation is situated. Consequently, each cage facility must design its own inspection and maintenance programme based on the equipment in use and the environmental conditions experienced. However, a number of guidelines can be offered to assist in the development of effective inspection and maintenance procedures.
Documentation of inspection & maintenance procedures The lack of adequate documentation of mooring inspection, maintenance and repair procedures is a very common problem in the aquaculture industry. Thorough documentation of
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
procedures, inspections, maintenance work carried out and recommendations for further action are essential to an effective inspection and maintenance programme. Efficient documentation helps in the assessment of wear and tear on various components, allowing a forecast to be made of replacement frequency. It also aids in the employment of clearly-defined parameters needed to identify when any particular component is in need of repair or replacement. Most importantly, written records allow maintenance and inspection procedures to be reviewed and inspected by third parties, and allows teams of divers and technical personnel to work more efficiently during inspections. It also allows the existing state of a mooring system to be quickly assessed and provides written records which might help deduce the cause of any future mooring system failure. The mooring system inspection and maintenance requirements will vary between cage facilities, and will depend on a number of variables, such as the cage types used, mooring system components employed, environmental conditions expected at the site, etc. Consequently, a risk assessment should
be carried out at of each individual mooring system. The risk assessment should include a full appraisal of each element or component of the mooring system, identifying those components thought most likely to fail and the consequences arising from the failure of that particular component. This risk assessment will then establish an inspection and maintenance programme with a frequency based on the risk associated with each component, expected wear and tear and the known weather conditions at the cage site. Where necessary, professional assistance should be sought for the completion of this risk assessment. Mooring system inspection and maintenance documentation should include a full list of all mooring system components in use, and for each component a specified replacement requirement should be established. For each component a frequency of inspection should then be decided, based on the results of the risk assessment, expected life of that component, experience of actual wear and tear at the cage site and the weather conditions expected. The inspection procedure should involve a visual inspection of each component.
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Risk Management
The following information should be recorded for each mooring component at each inspection:
Detail of mooring system
Exact position within the mooring system Month/year of installation Frequency of inspection Results of visual inspection, including any measurements taken Actions taken for any given component Recommendations for future action to be taken Name and signature of inspector As a general rule a full inspection of the mooring system should be carried out at least once every 6 months. This would normally involve an inspection both before and after any seasonal period of bad weather. In addition, inspections should be carried out before any period of significant bad weather (if sufficient notice is available) and immediately after any period of significant bad weather. However, some components will require more regular inspections (such as cage bridles, cushion float shackles, cushion floats, etc) whilst others less frequent inspections (anchors, ground chain, etc). The actual frequency for inspection will depend on the risk assessment for any particular site. Also the degree of wear or damage triggering a requirement to replace that component will depend on the actual component in use, but as a rule of thumb any reduction in component thickness or diameter to 80% of the original thickness or diameter will require the replacement of that component. In addition, a daily surface inspection should be carried out, noting the condition and presence or absence of cage bridles, the alignment of cages within the mooring system and the alignment of cushion floats. Any misalignment of cages or cushion floats can provide immediate warning of any dragging of anchors or
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
www.aqra-middleeast.com
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2015
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Risk Management
failure of mooring lines, grid lines or cage bridles.
minimum period of 15 days to include a spring and neap tide.
In addition to the routine inspection programme, a maintenance programme should also be established to include such tasks as the tightening of shackles, the tightening of bolts, lubrication, the replacement of shackle pin securing wires, tightening of mooring lines and grid lines, and the adjusting of cage bridles. The type and frequency of maintenance required will depend on the results of the risk assessment and manufacturers recommendations for each particular component in use.
4) A risk assessment should be carried out for each individual mooring system in place, from which a dedicated inspection and maintenance programme can be designed. 5) Full written records should be kept of all mooring system inspection and maintenance procedures, work carried out and recommendations for future
action. These records should be kept in a secure location and made available for subsequent inspection.
GUIAN S.A is an insurance broker specialised in fish mortality coverage for fish farm. They built 5 years ago their own policy named Aquasecure providing high quality insurance to the farmers. Aquasecure is today the only one insurance policy based on agreed value.
Spare parts A full stock of spare parts should be maintained at the farm location, subject to the results of the risk assessment, to allow the rapid and effective repair of any foreseeable failure of the mooring system.
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Summary of recommended requirements 1) A certificate from a reputable manufacturer or supplier of cages or mooring system components stating that the mooring system in place has been designed to withstand the expected conditions at the site, or 2) A certificate demonstrating that an accepted quasi-static or dynamic mooring analysis has been carried out on the cage facility in question, and that the strength of all mooring components exceeds the minimum load forces calculated, taking into account the various safety factors applied. 3) In addition to other meteorological data, actual current measurements are recommended for cage sites subject to significant current action. The measurements should be made over a
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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More information:
Site & Equipment Safety
Gael Force Group 136 Anderson Street Inverness IV3 8DH, UK Tel: +44 1463 229 389 Web: www.gaelforcegroup.com
Only as good as the tyres! You can have the best car in the world, but if your tyres are poor you’ll not keep it on the road for long. This is a philosophy that Gael Force Marine applies when it comes to the mooring of Fish Farm cages or Shellfish farms. Simply without good, solid and robust contact with the seabed the cages would not stay at sea. To secure the site or equipment safely at sea is not a simple process and can often be taken for granted - out of site out of mind? To safely account for all factors a lengthy process is followed beginning with the site information. It is critical that the initial data is precise to achieve the correct outcome. To start the process the Gael Force Moorings team gather all the relevant data supplied by the client for the location; this includes the site design, number of cages, net type and depths, sea bed lease for space and scope. Attention is given to the type of sea bed
for the holding of anchors or the application of rock pins. A full and robust understanding of all environmental factors including wave, wind and tidal data is cross checked through a lengthy and detailed process using software analysis. In addition manual checks using; tidal charts, almanacs, sea charts and even local knowledge are also carried out. Once all the information has been gathered it is then processed, evaluated and used to ascertain the best equipment to use on site; which is no mean feat when all this is data used to work out moorings on a constantly moving, flexible structure like a cage net. With the initial process there exists a wealth of understanding on what is the required output. Every single application to moorings is treated on a case by case basis; there are no fast routes to providing the customer with a detailed answer to their unique requirements.
All this analysis provides an output which, when reviewed, can highlight what forces will be imposed on different areas of the installation. With the direction of forces and potential areas of significant strain on components within the system identified, the next step of detailing the correct products and designs to use begins. The final choice of product is not just based on physical strength, although breaking loads and safe working limits are the most important factor, there needs to be continued focus on meeting the demands of the customer. Other considerations can include the installation companies, insurances brokers, site managers and any additional criteria to meet industry regulations. The choice of ropes are determined after lengthy negotiations with manufacturers, taking into account a number of dynamics such as; UV protection, abrasion
A Gael Force feed barge and mooring grid at Loch Ewe. Photo: Arthur Campbell.
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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aquarama-sg@ubm.com
www.aquarama.com.sg
Site & Equipment Safety
resistance, elongation at break, breaking strains and compound type. This knowledge and input is carried over from the companies’ long history in commercial fishing where there are equal demands on such products. The hardware used is often designed in-house and with the firms extensive engineering resource this ensures that all items manufactured meet stringent quality checks. Many of the products bought in from third parties are used in global applications and in some cases, more demanding conditions than the aquaculture industry. Like Gael Force themselves, all suppliers meet a high
approval process and are part of the ISO9001 approval. Once the system has been specified, and the choice of components agreed, the process continues with the companies’ in-house manufacturing team of fully trained and approved riggers splicing and rigging as required. Then, perhaps the most important part of the process, the system is passed on to the installation company. Third parties recruited to install systems will have the correct vessels and experience in moorings systems, taking several days to fully install a Finfish farm. This is labour intensive and a resource heavy part of the process.
Unlike other work where the final outcome can be seen and reviewed a mooring system is all below the surface; and so besides having a highly skilled workboat and crew, it is mission critical to review the installation below the water. Gael Force uses a ROV service that provides full security in their system allowing them to “sign off” on the installation. This can also be carried out at times with a diver or a sub surface camera. The initial installation; coupled with on-going, strict maintenance routines assures the life and design of the mooring system. As the industry grows and develops, so the demands change. Cages and sites are
A member of the Gael Force rigging team splices ropes for a mooring system
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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Site & Equipment Safety
getting bigger, insurances companies are looking for more assurance and the customer looks for greater security in his stock or asset. And so the robust process Gael Force follows is ever changing and developing; the moorings design from 20 years ago is very different from ones supplied today. As moorings continue to get bigger they need to be stronger and more robust. Technology is improving the understanding
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
of the dynamics involved in each system and this is leading to new designs, new ways to keep the asset secure and new ways to allow the industry to develop and grow. Gael Force have invested significant resource to continue their growth and product development and in the last 12 months introduced two new connection nodes with the highest break load yet. Developments and growth in the
Aquaculture industry are driving forward, getting bigger and moving further offshore. Gael Force are already working on expanding their range of products and services that, will not only allow them to be part of this growth and development but also lead the market in mooring strength and security in the future.
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Mooring Systems
More information: Mørenot Aquaculture NO-6280 Søvik, Norway Tel: +47 70 209500 Email: post@morenot.no Web: www.morenot.no
Ground-breaking mooring system from Mørenot Aquaculture Norwegian, Scottish and Saudi Arabian fish farmers have seen the benefits offered by Mørenot Aquaculture`s innovative and patent applied Flexilink system. The unique hardware-free Flexilink mooring gird was launched at the Aviemore exhibition in May 2012. Since then close to 150 Flexilink mooring grids have been installed all along these coastlines.
Installing a Flexilink grid
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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Mooring Systems
The system, which has been a great success in Norway and Scotland, was developed after years of research and development in collaboration with research institute Sintef and Norwegian fish farmers.
itself only takes about one hour to install, saving a lot of time and cost. The system consists of flexible fibre straps of 50 – 350 tonnes breaking load, which has been thoroughly tested. Our delivery time is short and the price is fair.
The system is a custom-built, hardware-free mooring grid, based on each individual site’s environmental factors. Some of the unique benefits include reduced mechanical wear, gives great security and leads to lower purchase and life cycle costs. The grid
Last addition to the system is the security strap connected to the main strap which secures the integrity if damaged or broken.
grid reduces the risk of accidents and fish escapes”, Nina Hildre – export manager at Mørenot Aquaculture explains. Another benefit is of course the maintenance and inspection cost which have been reduced by more than 50% on an average Norwegian fish farm. The product is certified according to the Norwegian standard NS 9415 together with the rest of Mørenot Aquacultures products.
“The fact that we have removed hundreds of small components from the
Marine Harvest in Scotland has started using HMPE ropes within their new
Installing a Flexilink grid
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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Mooring Systems
Main sling for the connection of grid ropes, bridles and buoy slings
Main sling for the connection of grid ropes, bridles and buoy slings
Flexilink mooring grid system due to the high strength and low stretch capabilities of the rope. The special advantage with lower stretch in the grid itself reduces the strain on the bridles and cages. Marine Harvest’s mooring manager, Arthur Campbell, states; “These high specification ropes will be used in future high energy grids being purchased during 2015. The successes of the Flexilink system have been inspiring for the Mørenot staff. We have now transferred part of the system in to our nets made for exposed sites. The loop for connecting the net to the pen is changed from rope to strap and is called Flexiloop. This loop has a breaking strength of 11, 2 tons and as the Flexilink it has double cover to withstand abrasion. If necessary, the Flexiloop can easily be replaced during the operational period at sea. Replacement done at one of Mørenot Aquaculture’s service stations is
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
easy and cost effective because no splicing is needed. Mørenot Aquaculture is a total supplier of equipment and services to the aquaculture industry. Mørenot and subsidiary companies in Norway, Scotland, Shetland, Spain and Canada have a large product range. Customized and certified nets, net services and moorings counts for the largest share of our total turnover, but we also have a strong and growing position in consultancy services and databases. Our consultancy department, in Norway, have a combination of engineers and experienced fish farmers. The department have achieved the Norwegian accreditation for analysing fish farms using advanced computer technology. All mooring systems and nets for exposed sites are analysed and verified before Mørenot Aquaculture starts producing nets and/or mooring systems.
According to the Norwegian standard NS 9415 safety factors are added when dimensioning mooring systems by Mørenot’s engineers. Accidents where mooring lines are broken and farming in extreme weather conditions are also simulated and accounted for in the dimensioning process. The analysis performed by our engineers also contains a fatigue analysis of mooring chains. This tells you the expected life time for chains on each specific site – which is of great value in risk management and for keeping a safe maintenance program. The consultancy department have also developed a web based database for fish farmers to keep track of certificates and documents for each site. It also contains a full maintenance system that let you know when to do the next inspection and creates a check list based on user
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Mooring Systems
manuals from different suppliers. The database is called MMCD and is being used by both fish farmers and auditors in Norway. Close to 150 sites are now using the database and Mørenot Aquaculture have presented an extended version in English language for our customers outside Norway. Mørenot Aquaculture is a company in the Mørenot group, which has provided quality products for aquaculture, fisheries and offshore for almost 70 years. Focus on innovation, quality and high level of service makes us a reliable supplier. We are constantly interacting with our customers to further develop our products and services. The company invests heavily in research and development and currently have several projects on the go involving for
example net design, different materials in nets such as HDPE nets and new types of antifoulings and coatings. In addition we are continuing to develop our existing products and services. Mørenot Aquaculture is certified according to ISO 9001:2008, and our products are certified according to NS 9415. Our consultancy department is accredited according to ISO 17020.
Above: Main Sling after three years of use – no abrasion
All our facilities in Norway and abroad are subject to annual quality inspections of production, assembly and services.
Marine Harvest Scotland’s site in Barra that utilises an all new Flexlink grid mooring system
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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More information:
Water Quality
Ralf Lohoff Managing Director BIOCONS ENGINEERING (PTY) LTD 37 Balers Way 7441 Milnerton Cape Town South Africa Tel: + 27 724483347 Fax: + 27 086 6010524 Email: r.lohoff@biocons.org
Aquaculture the natural way THE PROBLEMS FACING WATER QUALITY IN AQUACULTURE Intensive aquaculture produces a series of problems that need to be carefully managed to be able to achieve a successful long lasting operation. The problems are: High BOD due to the dense fish excrements. Dissolved Oxygen can affect the Ph. and Alkalinity, if it diminishes it will provoke a negative bacterial activity. Relation between NH3, NOx, N2, P and the BOD. Taking care of the Phytoplankton (phytoplankton is desirable). Water turbidity (it is desirable to maintain a degree of turbidity in the water). Mineralization and degradation of the organic material especially waste which mineralizes aerobic nutrients, which are responsible for the accumulation of CO2, nitrates, (un- less they attach themselves to simple organisms like phytoplankton) or complex organisms that will result in a solution such as phosphates. Elimination of nutrients to avoid effluents with high level of N and P. Algae growth and algae’s mucus control. Formation of biofilm in the ponds. Keeping all of the above in balance and harmony.
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
ERGOFITO AQUACULTURE APPLICATION: The first step in using Ergofito H2Oculture to decompose fish excrements and nutrients is to calculate the quantum required based on the BOD. As a general rule, the production of 1 Kg of fish will produce 1 Kg of waste. The important waste parameters are: Ammonia-N Nitrite-N Phosphate-P Suspended Solids Biochemical Oxygen Demand Chemical Oxygen Demand COD is directly proportional to the aeration system installed. It is important to note that Ergofito is composed of aerobic bacteria and will require a minimum Oxygen level to live. The remainder can be managed by the application of Ergofito H2Oculture. BOD is generally 7,5% of the solids. Ergofito H2Oculture facts: 1: Applying Ergofito will decompose excrements and nutrients residues alike in the natural manner. 2: Ergofito does so, by eliminating the causes, which alters water quality. 3: Oxygen is used by the bacteria in Ergofito to decompose the excrements and food residues. Levels of Oxygen in
the water need to be monitored (in mg/L). This is important in the event of excess of nutrients in the water, thus reducing Oxygen levels for the fish. 4: Ergofito helps maintaining the correct Ph. at optimal level. 5: Ergofito bacteria transform Ammonia and Nitrates into proteins which forms into mud flakes, thus removing same from the fish (the major threat for fish are Ammonia and Nitrates) Phosphorus end up in the mud and the BOD is rapidly reduced. 6: Ergofito has Phytoplankton
no
effect
on
7: Slime, biofilm and mucus are eliminated with the use of Ergofitowe
Filtering & aquatic plants: Obviously water management is a combination of the filter, beneficial bacterial activity (Ergofito) and if possible the use of aquatic plants to absorb the N and P from the effluent. Allowing floating plants (usually used in aquaculture ponds) like Lemna Minor and Acquariofilia Consapevole, will reduce water turbidity, absorb all nutrients and create sufficient shade to curtail photosynthesis for algae growth. Ergofito converts all excrements and nutrients residues in bottom mud, thus creating an active mud filter. The filter will act as a percolator and will ensure that no solids return to the pond.
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Water Quality
The above combination calls for a simple and inexpensive percolator type filter. Water will never need to be replaced, only to top up the evaporation losses.
ERGOFITO H2O APPLICATION TABLE AND DOSAGE: The table below indicates the correct dosage for a 20 000m3 aquaculture pond with a specified amount of fish and the results therefore.
DESCRIPTION
QUANTUM
Volume of Pond
20 000 m3
Initial fish weight
6 000 Kg
Total fish produced
80 000 Kg
Feed required
60 000 Kg
Excrement produced
50 000 Kg
Bottom mud produced
1 500 Kg
Daily dosage regulator: Ammonia in the water can be simply measured, however the presence of Ammonia in water will raise its alkalinity. This can be used as a guideline for the application of Ergofito H2Oculture. Although the application of Ergofito H2Oculture will stabilize the Ph. excess of NH3 in water will eventually prevail and alter the Ph. The variants on the type of fish, amount of nutrients and water filtering will all affect the quantum. In the same way, should the Ph. become more acidic, reduce the amount of Ergofito H2Oculture to suit. The above will guide the quantum. The above explanation is valid for aquaculture in the sea or in fresh water. Obviously if aquatic plants are used, the correct selection of sea or fresh water plants must be used.
ERGOFITO H20 APPLICATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CYCLE:
PRODUCT
WHEN
HOW MUCH
ERGOFITOH20
ON THE FIRST DAY
6 KG
ERGOFITOH20
ON THE SECOND DAY
6 KG
ERGOFITOH20
ON THE THIRD DAY
6 KG
ERGOFITOH20
ONCE EVERY WEEK
2 KG
The above applications are a total of 18 Kg initially plus 104 kg per year; this is a total yearly application for the above of 122 Kg of ERGOFITOH2O. This translates to 1.5 grams of bacteria per Kg of fish produced.
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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Water Quality
ERGOFITO H2O APPLICATION MID CYCLE:
DESCRIPTION
WHEN
HOW MUCH
ERGOFITOH2O
ON THE FIRST DAY
20 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ON THE SECOND DAY
20 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ON THE THIRD DAY
20 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ON THE FOURTH DAY
20 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ON THE FIFTH DAY
20 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ONCE EVERY WEEK FOR 10 WEEKS
6 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ONCE EVERY WEEK FOR 16 WEEKS
3 KG
The reason why the 100 Kg dosage in five days is applied when we start at mid-cycle, is due to counteract the un-decomposed accumulation from the fist half cycle.
ERGOFITO H2O APPLICATION IN CASE OF SEVERE SICKNESS: (when ERGOFITO H2O was never used previously).
DESCRIPTION
WHEN
HOW MUCH
ERGOFITOH2O
IMMEDIATELY
100 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
NEXT DAY
100 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
NEXT DAY
100 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ONCE EVERY WEEK FOR 5 WEEKS
20 KG
ERGOFITOH2O
ONCE EVERY WEEK FOR 16 WEEKS
3 KG
The above quantum of ERGOFITO H2O can be reduced if the water is filtered through a biological filter used in conjunction with ERGOFITO H2O as part of the overall filtration. Please contact us for further information. Tel: +27 21 4477248 Email: interlog@mwebbiz.co.za
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
Page 23
More information:
Sustainability
World Resources Institute 10 G Street, NE, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20002 United States Tel: + 1 202 729 7734 Email: RWaite@wri.org Web: www.wri.org
Sustainable Fish Farming: 4 Strategies to Get Aquaculture Growth Right by Richard Waite (World Resources Institute), Michael Phillips (WorldFish) and Randall Brummett (World Bank) This post is the ninth installment of WRI’s blog series, “Creating a Sustainable Food Future.” The series explores strategies to sustainably feed 9 billion people by 2050. All pieces are based on research being conducted for the forthcoming World Resources Report (WRI.org/WRR).
The world’s appetite for fish is steadily growing. Finfish and shellfish currently make up one-sixth of the animal protein people consume globally. As the global wild fish catch peaked in the 1990s, aquaculture—or fish farming—has grown rapidly to meet world fish demand, more than doubling production between 2000 and 2012.
WRI partnered with WorldFish, the World Bank, INRA, and Kasetsart University to explore this question. Our new paper, Improving Productivity and Environmental Performance of Aquaculture, examines aquaculture’s environmental footprint today and explores various scenarios of aquaculture growth to 2050. It uncovers several strategies that can lessen aquaculture’s environmental impacts while also ensuring that fish farming provides employment and nutritious food to millions more people. Aquaculture’s Impacts: Encouraging Trends, but Challenges Remain
On average, farmed fish convert feed to edible food as efficiently as poultry, making them an attractive option for expanding the global animal protein supply. However, as with all forms of food production, aquaculture isn’t without its environmental impacts. As aquaculture began to boom in the 1990s, several concerns emerged such as the clearing of mangroves to make way for shrimp farms in Asia and Latin America, increased use of fishmeal and fish oil made from wild marine fish, and the generation of water pollution and shrimp and fish diseases.
New research shows that aquaculture production will need to more than double again between now and 2050 to meet the demands of a growing population.
The question is: Can aquaculture grow sustainably?
Photo credit: WorldFish/Mike Lusmore/Duckrabbit
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
Page 24
Sustainability
The aquaculture industry has greatly improved performance over the past 20 years, producing more farmed fish per unit of land and water, lowering the share of fishmeal and fish oil in many aquaculture feeds, and largely stopping mangrove conversion. However, doubling aquaculture production without further increasing the industry’s efficiency could lead to a doubling of environmental impacts. And unless the aquaculture industry is able to boost productivity, the limited availability of land, water, and feed may constrain its growth.
Getting Aquaculture Growth Right: 4 Approaches Our report recommends four approaches to help get aquaculture growth right: 1) Invest in technological innovation and transfer. Aquaculture is a young industry—decades behind that of livestock farming. Improvements in breeding technology, disease control, feeds and nutrition, and low-impact production systems are interlinked areas where science can complement traditional knowledge to improve efficiency. These sorts of innovations—whether led by farmers, research institutions, companies, or governments—have been behind productivity gains in every part of the world. For example, in Vietnam, a breakthrough in catfish breeding around the year 2000—complemented by widespread adoption of high-quality pelleted feed—unlocked a boom in production growth and intensification. Vietnamese catfish production grew from 50,000 tons in 2000 to more than 1 million tons in 2010, even though the country’s total catfish pond area only doubled during that time.
aquaculture regulations and certification schemes focus at the individual farm level. But having many producers in the same area can lead to cumulative environmental impacts—such as water pollution or fish diseases—even if everyone is following the law. Spatial planning and zoning can ensure that aquaculture operations stay within the surrounding ecosystem’s carrying capacity and can also lessen conflicts over resource use. Norway’s zoning laws, for example, ensure that salmon producers are not overly concentrated in one area, reducing disease risk and helping mitigate environmental impacts. 3) Shift incentives to reward sustainability. A variety of public and private policies can give farmers incentives to practice more sustainable aquaculture. For example, Thailand’s government has provided shrimp farmers operating legally in aquaculture zones with access to free training, water supply, and wastewater treatment. The government has also provided low-interest loans and tax exemptions to small-scale farmers—helping them adopt improved technology that
increased productivity, pressure to clear new land.
reducing
4) Leverage the latest information technology. Advances in satellite and mapping technology, ecological modeling, open data, and connectivity mean that global-level monitoring and planning systems that encourage sustainable aquaculture development may now be possible. A platform integrating these technologies could help governments improve spatial planning and monitoring, help the industry plan for and demonstrate sustainability, and help civil society report success stories and hold industry and government accountable for wrongdoing. With the global wild fish catch stagnant and the human population increasing, aquaculture is here to stay. The world, therefore, needs to get its growth right—and ensure that fish farming contributes to a sustainable food future. Learn more at: www.wri.org/publication/improving-aquaculture
2) Focus beyond the farm. Most
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
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Expo List
Events in detail January Innovations in feeding technologies and commercial fish farming 27th January Russia www.expohleb.breadbusiness.ru/eng IPPE 27th-29th January USA www.ippexpo.com February Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture 3rd-5th February UAE www.innovationsinagriculture.com Aquaculture America 2015 19th-22nd February USA www.marevent.com Aqua Aquaria India 20th-22nd February India www.aquaaquaria.com
April Seafood Expo Global 21st-23rd April Belgium www.seafoodexpo.com May IAI Expo 3rd-5th May India www.iaiexpo.com World Aquaculture 2015 26th-30thMay Korea www.was.org
September Seafood Expo Asia 2nd-4th September Hong Kong www.seafoodexpo.com World Seafood Congress 2015 5th -10th September UK www.wsc2015.com October AQUACULTURE EUROPE 2015 20th-23rd October Netherlands www.marevent.com
Aquarama 2015 28th-31st May Singapore www.aquarama.com.sg June Victam International 2015 9th-11th June Germany www.victam.com July
March VIV Asia 11th-13th March Thailand www.vivasia.nl Seafood Expo North America 15th-17th March USA www.seafoodexpo.com AquaMe 16th-18th March United Arab Emirates www.agramiddleeast.com/en/Aqua/Home
Aquaculture Scoop December 2014
The International Conference on Aquaculture & Fisheries 20th-22nd July Australia www.aquaculture-fisheries.conferences eries.com August Aqua Nor 18th – 21st August Norway www.nor-fishing.no
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