AQUA 2024

August 26 - 30, 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark

PRELINE’S EXTENDED SMOLTFARM AND PIPEFARM – (ENVIRONMENT)4 SEMI-CLOSED/CLOSED TECHNOLOGY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN 4 DIMENSIONS

 Author: Bjørn Bilberg, CEO Preline Fishfarming Systems AS, c/o Bidevind Consulting, Uniongata 18, 3732 Skien, Norway email: bbilberg@preline.no

 



 Our approach is holistic. C onsidering  the laws of nature; physics (gravity, hydro dynamics, material properties), chemistry (water properties, nutrients & organic salts), biology (species characteristics, welfare, health, pathogens, parasites, predators) climate (sea state, temperature, moon phases, seasons) we design and build fishfarms.

 The FOUR dimensions with improved Sustainability  and E nvironmental  impact  are:

  • PLANT/STRUCTURE: A circular approach to design and production minimises impact.
  •  FISH: The physical environment in the farm optimizes fish health and welfare .
  •  WASTE: Collect ion of  faeces and excess feed is maximized .
  •  NATURE: The external environment  is shielded by minimizing and diluting emissions .

The circular  production  approach  is based on  strong  materials with a long life span Combined with a module based design , enabling efficient exchange of equipment when worn-out or out-dated. GRP (Glass reinforced plastic) is  the material of choice ,  with an expected (escape free)  life span of 40 to 60 years. We build for 20 years  of  certified  use  after which the structure will be docked, stripped, repaired and new equipment  installed  for productive use for another 20 years when the procedure is repeated till the plant is recycled. Equipment is kept in step with the technological development . Result: Effective life cycle management , Minimized cost pr kg  fish produced  and Minimized environmental impact .

To optimize fish health and welfare a flow of  temperate water with high levels of Oxygen (O2 ) and low levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) is used. A speed of 1 fish  length pr second is achieved with water collected below the lice belt and delivered back at about the same depth after flowing through the fish chamber . The flow is  driven by low energy thrusters.  The GRP walls protects farmed fish from  surface pathogens, parasites, and predators. Speed keeps the fish focused on swimming and eating – reducing disputes.  Mortality below 1,0% for a post smolt period of 100 to 150 days is normal.  Low mortality and high quality  will  contribute to increased value creation at harvest. E xercise results in a robust fish with lower mortality, higher growth  and a Netpen phase as short as 7 months.

 Through a circular approach to operations, we achieve: Minimal use of additives such as (O2 ) in production – due to high flow of good quality  fresh sea water.  Minimal feed waste ,  achieving a  Feed Conversion rate (FCR) * of 0,8-0,9; reducing feed costs. We collect faeces and dead  fish in traps along the bottom of the chamber. 100% of dead fish and 60 to 95% of solids – depending on technology version are collected.  Our solutions and technology for collecting discharge is in constant development/improvement.  We deliver solids t o available  circular value chains. Contributing to development of future income streams .

We protect the environment and life in the sea from our operations by minimizing  farm discharge. Dissolved nutrients ,  organic salts and the 5-40% of  solids not collected is diluted to very low concentrations and reintroduced at a depth of 20 to 40 meters . Financial gains wi ll materialize when taxonomy is implemented in aquaculture.

 Our Preline Extended smolt farm has been in production  since May 20 15, 3 million + Postsmolt in 17 batches. 18th batch in production. Documentation of results are available.

 * FCR = Kg feed / Kg fish produced