Tag: Aquaculture

Reports

Increased sustainability in Aquaculture with focus on feed and sidestreams

Published:

25/06/2024

Authors:

Birgir Örn Smárason, Anna Berg Samúelsdóttir, Gunnar Þórðarson and Margrét Geirsdóttir

Supported by:

Nordic Council of Ministers - Working Group for Fisheries (AG-Fisk)

Contact

Birgir Örn Smárason

Research Group Leader

birgir@matis.is

The Nordic countries are major players in fish farming, including salmon (Salmo salar). Many demanding environmental issues are related to this production and they are found in every step of the process. The main focus of this report has been on new feed ingredients and improved utilization of by-products. Both of these issues concern a large amount and it is of great importance for the business world as well as the sustainability and environmental impact of this important profession that they are handled in a better and more efficient way than the current methods. Future food security for our planet's population, in a sustainable manner in the long term, requires a revolution in the way we produce our food. There is an urgent need to maximize sustainable feed production.
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The Nordic countries are big players in salmon aquaculture (Salmo salar). Many challenging environmental issues are related to this production, and they are to be found in every step of the process. The main focus in this report has been put on novel and alternative feed ingredients and sidestreams utilization. Both those issues involve vast volumes and it's of high importance for the economy as well as the sustainability and environmental impact of this important profession that they are tackled in a better and more efficient manner than current approaches. Future food security for our global population that does not compromise the long-term sustainability of our ecosystems requires a revolution in the way we produce our food and there is an urgent need to nutritionally optimize a sustainably produced feed ingredient for inclusion in aquafeeds. 

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Reports

Phosphorus uptake and requirement from feed and water by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles in freshwater Recirculating Aquaculture System

Published:

20/07/2023

Authors:

Helda Kizhakkuden Sajeev, David Sutter, Wolfgang Koppe, Sven-Ole Meiske & Georges Lamborelle

Supported by:

Mowi feed AS

Contact

Georges Lamborelle

Station manager of Matís Aquaculture Research Station

georges@matis.is

This report is closed

Reports

Method development to estimate infection load in aquaculture

Published:

15/12/2016

Authors:

René Groben, Viggó Þór Marteinsson

Supported by:

AVS (S 15 006-15)

Contact

René Groben

Project Manager

rene.groben@matis.is

Method development to estimate infection load in aquaculture

The aim of the pilot project was to create a DNA probe that binds to the genetic material of the fish-causing bacteria Flavobacterium psychrophilum and Aeromonas salmonicida, a subspecies of achromogenes, which can be detected using microscopy (FISH) and flow cytometry. One selective DNA probe for the bacterium F. psychrophilum was created with a combination of two and used with great success to screen for the bacterium using microbial and FISH technology. Specific DNA sensors could not be generated for A. Salmonicida, a subspecies of achromogenes, as its identification gene (16S rDNA) is too similar to other non-infectious Aeromans species. It will be necessary to develop new tentacles that are unique to A. Salmonicida, a subspecies of achromogenes. The flow cytometry is a very fast tool for detecting the binding of specific DNA sensors to microorganisms, which makes the device very suitable for detecting pathogenic bacteria in water. Quantitative analysis of bacteria with such technology is subject to various shortcomings, but it still gives a very good indication of the condition of the water in the fire so that the infection burden can be assessed. The results of this preliminary project show that it is possible to assess the infection burden in aquaculture quickly, but it is necessary to further develop and verify the methodology in real conditions in aquaculture. This was assumed at the beginning of this preliminary project and the participants have applied for a continuation grant to AVS based on the current results and the methodology will be tested under real conditions in charr farming.

The aim of this proof-of-concept study was the development and application of molecular probes for the fish pathogens Flavobacterium psychrophilum and Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. achromogenes, and their detection through Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and flow cytometry. A combination of two species-specific FISH probes was successfully used in combination with flow cytometry to identify and detected F. psychrophilum strains. It was not possible to find specific FISH probes for A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes. The bacterium is too similar to other Aeromonas species in its 16S rRNA gene sequence and does not contain suitably unique regions that could have been used to develop a species-specific FISH probe. Flow cytometry offers a fast detection system for FISH probes, although technological limitations make reliable quantification difficult. The system is therefore best suited as a semi-quantitative early warning system for emerging fish pathogens in water samples from aquaculture tanks. The results of this preliminary project show that it is possible to estimate the infection load for certain pathogens in aquaculture rapidly but it is necessary to develop the methodology further and test it under real aquaculture conditions. The participants have applied to AVS for new funding based on these results; to develop our rapid methodology further, expand it to more pathogens and test it under real aquaculture conditions.

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Reports

Testing different types of impregnations and its effect on bio fouling

Published:

01/10/2013

Authors:

Ólafur Ögmundarson, Þorleifur Eiríksson, Böðvar Þórðarson, Gunnar Þórðarson

Supported by:

Tækniþróunarsjóður, AVS

Contact

Gunnar Þórðarson

Regional Manager

gunnar.thordarson@matis.is

Testing different types of impregnations and its effect on bio fouling

The use of copper oxide in the treatment paint of cow bags is highly criticized and has been banned in many places due to its negative effects on the environment. Within the European Union, the use has been grayed out due to these negative effects of the substance on the environment, but it has been difficult to ban it as no substances have been found that repel sediments as well from the sacs as copper oxide. In the Norðurkví project, there has been a project where an attempt has been made to find a substance that could replace the copper oxide, but no permanent solution has been found. The results of this experiment are presented in this report.

Usage of copper oxide in treating net ‐ bags in aquaculture is a controversial and has been banned in many countries due to its negative environmental impact. Within the EU, use of copper oxide has been put on a gray list but not banned because no substitute treating material has been found which has the same effect in keeping algae away from the nets ‐ bags. The North Cage project has been looking into finding alternative solutions to copper oxide, and the conclusion of this research is drafted in this report.

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Reports

Utilization of raw materials from the plant and animal kingdom in fish feed

Published:

10/07/2011

Authors:

Ásbjörn Jónsson, Jón Árnason, Ragnheiður Þórarinsdóttir, Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir

Supported by:

Vocational Training Fund of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security

Utilization of raw materials from the plant and animal kingdom in fish feed

Feed costs in aquaculture are generally around 50‐70% of operating costs and a large proportion of raw materials in feed are imported. The purpose of this report is to compile information on the possibility of utilizing domestic raw materials used in agriculture and fisheries for aquaculture feed. It is considered that the raw materials are generally used for aquaculture and the summary is not limited to individual species. It is possible to use by-products from the fisheries sector as feed in aquaculture, but by-products from the plant kingdom need to be treated in order to reduce / eliminate a high proportion of fiber and increase the protein content. By-products of the plant kingdom may be used as food for invertebrates, bacteria and fungi, thus producing a protein-rich product suitable for fish feed.

Feed cost in aquaculture is about 50‐70% of the total cost, and most of the feed is imported. The aim of this report is to gather information about utilizing by-products from agriculture and fishing industry as a feed in aquaculture. By-products from the fishing industry can be used as feed in aquaculture but it is necessary to lower the level of fiber and increase protein in by-products from agriculture. This can possibly be done by using the by-products as feed for invertebrates, bacteria and mushrooms and produce protein rich feed for aquaculture.

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Reports

Affinity of benthic communities in Ísafjarðardjúpur

Published:

01/12/2010

Authors:

Þorleifur Eiríksson, Ólafur Ögmundarson, Guðmundur V. Helgason, Böðvar Þórisson

Supported by:

Fisheries Project Fund

Affinity of benthic communities in Ísafjarðardjúpur

Knowledge of benthic life in the shallow waters off Iceland is low, both in terms of natural conditions and under stress from, for example, aquaculture. There is also a lack of knowledge about how benthic communities react to stress from aquaculture, but one study has tried to answer this regarding low stress. In order to understand which benthic community types exist under natural conditions and which are present in the case of pollution from pollution, the relationship between benthic life inside and outside the area must be examined. In this way, it is possible to understand which animal groups are predominant in similar situations. This study uses data on benthic life in Ísafjarðardjúpur, which is mostly due to fish farming in the fjords. A benthic study is also being carried out in fjords that may be suitable for aquaculture, but are still only under pressure from natural conditions. The project is part of a larger project "Icelandic fjords: The natural ecosystem of Ísfjarðardjúp and the limits of pollution" and is funded by the Fisheries Project Fund.

Knowledge about the benthic live in shallow waters around Iceland is poor, both regarding natural circumstances and when there is pressure from aquaculture. Knowledge is also poor about how benthic communities respond to pollution from aquaculture. This study shows the relationships between research stations with regards to kinship between found indicative species.

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Reports

Fat tolerance of cod

Published:

01/07/2008

Authors:

Jón Árnason, Rannveig Björnsdóttir, Helgi Thorarensen, Ingólfur Arnarson

Fat tolerance of cod

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fat content in feed on the growth and cleaning of cod of different sizes. Knowledge of the nutritional needs of fish is a necessary prerequisite for the preparation of feed for them. Two-size cod (120 g and 600 g) were fed (in triplicate) for 12 weeks on feed containing 10.0%, 13.5%, 21.2%, 24.5% and 27.7% fats in dry matter. Different fat content did not affect growth (SGR), body mass index (CF), fillet utilization, liver fat content or fillet fat content. In the smaller fish, the feed index (FCR) decreased with increased fat in the feed. The feed fat did not affect the fat content of offal without liver in the smaller fish (120g) but in 600 g fish the fat in the intestines increased with increased fat content of the feed. The fat content did not affect the proportion of gutted weight of the total weight in the 600 g fish, but in the smaller fish the proportion decreased with increased fat in the feed. Liver ratio (HSI) in 600g fish was not dependent on the fat content of the feed, but there was a positive correlation between feed fat and HSI in the 120 g fish. This means that the fat tolerance of cod in terms of liver ratio depends on the size of the fish.

Detailed knowledge of the nutritional requirements of fish is essential for feed formulation. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of different lipid content in diets for Atlantic cod of different size. Cod of two size groups (initial weight 120 grams and 600 grams) were fed, in triplicate, for 12 weeks diets containing 10.0%, 13.5%, 21.2%, 24.5% and 27.7% lipid in dry matter. Different lipid content in the diet did not affect growth (SGR), condition factor (CF), fillet yield, lipid content in liver or lipid content in fillet. In the smaller fish, FCR was reduced with increased diet lipid. The lipid content in the diet did not affect the lipid content of intestines in the 120 grams fish but in the 600 grams fish there was a positive correlation between lipid content in diet and intestines. Dietary lipid did not affect gutted weight (calculated as the percentage of round weight) in the 600 grams fish but in the 120 grams fish, the percent gutted weight decreased with lipid content of the diet. The Heposomatic index (HSI) in the 600 gram fish was not affected by the lipid content of the diet but dietary lipid content significantly affected the HSI in the smaller fish. This indicates that the lipid tolerance of Atlantic cod, with respect to the effect on HSI, is size dependent.

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