Innovative Sustainable Solutions for Canadian Finfish Aquaculture Operations: Development of the AEG ECO-Containment Systems and Continuation of AEG Feeder Pulse vs. Meal Feeding with AquaSonar Integration Evaluation

Summary:
AEG Inc. was incorporated in November 2002 to develop equipment and management solutions that meet existing technology shortcomings. AEG Solutions have been developed individually, model tested and prototype trials completed. This AIMAP project allowed the first ever complete integration of the advanced AEG Feeder and AEG Containment Systems while including fish on a commercial very high-energy grow-out site in St. Mary’s Bay, NS. Trout were stocked within the deployed AEG Containment Systems in October-December 2009. Initial mortality was quite high due to saltwater tolerance issues but ~ 200,000 fish remained to complete project activities. The mortality rate eventually settled to below the target 0.6% per month despite being on a very high energy site. Pulse feeding provided acceptable results with an overall site FCR under 1.2. Fish growth was initially projected to reach the target harvest weight by August 2010 but feed belching unexpectedly occurred in July 2010. At this time feed provision was reduced to control feed belching but growth was sacrificed extending the time to reach the target harvest weight of 2.15 kg to November 2010. In total, more than 130,000 lbs were processed as dressed head-on product and upwards of 200,000 lbs of fillets were produced from the site. These fillets were very consistent in quality characteristics such as firmness, shape, size, gaping and color. The submersible collar developed in Phase I proved invaluable as the cages needed to be submerged in February 2010 to avoid ice flowing through the site. Integration of the AquaSonar automatic fish sizing technology provided encouraging results although significant issues must be addressed before commercialization is possible. The financial benefits associated with use of AEG Solutions are substantial with more than $800,000 additional profit possible when all benefits are compiled and compared with raising commercial volumes using traditional systems and methods.

Project Lead: Aquaculture Engineering Group Inc. (AEG)

Total Project Cost: $2,367,346.13
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $199,068

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Aquaculture Engineering Group Inc.
• Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture, NSDFA

For more information please contact the regional coordinator.

Maritimes Region: Cindy.Webster@dfo-mpo.gc.ca