This project will demonstrate a novel modular sea lice treatment system which, compared to other methods, will reduce costs and environmental impact, and improve fish welfare and the efficiency of aquaculture operations.
£542,932
18 months
Salmon farmers are rapidly moving towards a larger smolt/less time in the sea production model, an evolution of farming best practice that Pulcea’s Continuous Flow Acoustic Sealice Treatment (CFAST) is being developed to support.
CFAST is a new modular sea lice treatment system which combines existing technologies with a new welfare friendly delivery system. It enables precision targeting of hydrogen peroxide (H202), breaking it down to its component parts of water and oxygen prior to discharge, whilst also capturing the detached lice. CFAST’s Acoustic Treatment Modules (ATM) are designed to be attached to an appropriate fish pumping system thereby permitting dual husbandry tasks.
Pulcea, with InnovateUK support, has previously funded fish safety studies under veterinary supervision with UK Home Office approval which proved that the acoustic enhancement of H202 treatments is effective against sealice whilst not being harmful to salmon. This innovation delivers more efficacious use of H202 than has traditionally been possible.
Development of gentle action continuous flow pumping systems such as MMC First Process’s RiD technology facilitates the reintroduction of desirable husbandry tasks, such as size grading prior to harvest of fast grown populations, thereby maximising yield and profitability without detriment to the fish populations being handled. CFAST is designed to deliver an additional benefit to this husbandry task.
Benefits of such an integrated approach include reduced cost of treatment, reduced environmental impact and increased efficacy. Key to improved fish welfare is reduced stress, mechanical handling and loss of growth, thereby assisting with the sustainability of the sector.
Pulcea Ltd