Closed containment - The future of fish farming

[darthom]

I would consider three additional technologies to offset some of the problems faced with close-contained fish farming. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) are a low acreage power choice for coastal BC, The Archimedes screw, siphon and ram pumps are natural or low power means to move water. And, large scale hydroponics can handle the biological waste and excess feeding while simultaneously cleaning the water. I believe technology is less of an issue than is available labor.

[yakyakyak69]

If Close Containment is so good, then simple economics will make it win over open net bases systems.

The free market will choose the best system.

[livingocean]

Hi 82snowball,

Many of the costs associated with open net-cage salmon farming are being absorbed by the ecosystem, by communities and businesses reliant on wild salmon and healthy oceans. A grocery chain in BC (OFG) is selling closed containment farmed salmon at the same price they once sold net-cage farmed salmon. OFG says there is enough margin for both the producer and the retailer that they don’t need to sell their responsibly produced salmon at a higher price.

[82snowball]

This will increase the cost off salmon per unit, I laughed when the guy said converting from a system using 8 pens producing 10,000 tonnes per pen to a system of 80 pens producing 1000tonnes per pen was good because it created more employment. All that extra space and people and energy have to be paid for by the consumer through higher prices.

This would create lower productivity and and profits of the indusrty, Bad idea.

[livingocean]

It is surprising that fish farms haven’t already converted some of their electrical demands from diesel to solar generation. Right now most of B.C.’s electricity is generated from hydro-electric sources which are low greenhouse gas emitters. More options will be available as alternative supplies like solar and tidal improve over time.

[21wf]

Use solar energy to run the pumps.

[AcanLord]

I am a strong supporter of Aquaculture.

 this is the future, it will serve to eleviate our foot print "at least directly" on the Wild Marine life populations while also providing Great job oppertunities "which i would love to be involved with". i find those too concerned with the energy footprint of this endeavors lack of vision disturbing. British columbia needs this.