Evaluation and Further Development of the iCage ™ Fish Containment System as a Technology Platform to Meet Sustainability and Cost Reduction Targets

Summary:
Admiral Fish Farms identified an innovative fish containment system being developed by Open Ocean Systems that eliminates the use of copper based antifoulants. The units were placed at the Hardwood Island farm site in Passamaquoddy Bay, New Brunswick. This was the first ever construction of a 4500m iCage™. Open Ocean Systems designed the 4500m to increase the size of previously constructed cages of 2250m during prototype development in New Brunswick and beta trials in Belize. The iCage is designed to interrupt the life cycle of biofouling organisms using its rotation ability which exposes the netting surface to the sun and wind.

This AIMAP project had two objectives: 1) To assess the ability of the iCage ™ fish containment system to eliminate the use of copper based antifoulants while reducing overall all net maintenance costs and related activities within a commercial scale salmon farm; and
2) To continue the development of the iCage™ platform into a viable farming system alternative for the Canadian farmed salmon sector.

The first project objective was highly successful. The dyneema net was placed on the
iCage™ on Nov 15, 2009 and was removed on Jan 17, 2011. The net was not changed during this period. It took minimal rotation maintenance and two washings of the ring sides to keep most of the netting free from fouling. Approximately 15% of the net surface, mostly the ring sides which are not regularly exposed to the sun and wind during rotation, had moderate fouling. The fouling consisted mostly of hydra, tunicates and mussels. The traditional cages at the site had three nets placed on them during the same period of time in order to maintain a sufficient enough water flow and dissolved oxygen within the cages. Ambient oxygen levels were maintained in the iCages™ throughout the entire project without the changing of nets or application of antifoulant.

The second objective resulted in the development of some significant milestones. Open
Ocean Systems was able to assess the structural ability of the cage and make necessary improvements in engineering. Working in collaboration, we have improved accessibility for routine procedures such as feed camera installation and fish sampling. Trials for seining, stock transferring and sea lice bath treatments were all conducted with successful results.

There is full confidence that the project results have shown this technology to be of great potential in benefitting us on our sustainability path, by eliminating the use of copper based antifoulants. Admiral Fish Farms has moved forward with an investment of two more 2700m iCage™ units at a site located in Back Bay, New Brunswick. These units were constructed and had stock transferred into them in December of 2010. This project has played a valuable role in continuing to enhance the company’s ability to grow as a producer of high quality, sustainably farmed seafood.

Project Lead: Admiral Fish Farms Ltd.

Total Project Cost: $402,000
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $126,000

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Admiral Fish Farms Ltd.
• Open Oceans Systems Inc.
• Provincial Government: New-Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries (NBDAFF); Business New Brunswick

For more information please contact the regional coordinator.

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