Newfoundland Commercial Scale Atlantic Cod Hatchery Production Technology Project

Summary:
The primary objective of this project was to produce enough commercial quantities of juvenile cod to support industry needs. Larval growth rates have been high, which enabled an earlier transition to Artemia and consequentially earlier weaning. Improvements in the weaning protocols have led to reduced cannibalism. Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building (JBARB) is holding 250,000 juveniles between 4-6 grams and all fish are continuing to do exceptionally well with little to no deformities observed.

The second objective was to increased training and knowledge of different teams at Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC-JBARB) by transition from a research and development facility to a semi commercial production and this has been successfully achieved. The project also allowed the establishment of commercial scale production protocols and the increase of productivity in areas of egg incubation, larval rearing, weaning, nursery stages of cod production and live feed.

Technological upgrades to the existing larval and juvenile water intake system inside JBARB took place as to improve water quality thus improving production. Changes included replacing the sand in the existing filters with a more efficient filter media, installing protein skimmers, ozone capabilities, larval flow through or recirculation capabilities, cleaning of pipes, monitor systems and oxygen control systems. Also, the team improved the efficiency of the live feed program though reduction of labor and use of modern equipment along with state-of-the-art products. The project delivered sufficient quantity of nutritionally enriched live feed to support commercial scale production of cod.

The 2009/2010 production season was very successful. Success was due in part to changes in the system and larval rearing protocols. Production numbers were 900,000 fish through the first grade. AIMAP investment into this project has certainly allowed the aquaculture industry to focus on several of the current principle cost drivers and bottlenecks associated with commercial scale cod production.

Project Lead: Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA)

Total Project Cost: $314,863
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $50,000

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building, JBARB and Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association, NAIA
• Federal Government: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, ACOA
• Provincial Government: Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Newfoundland
• Skretting

For more information please contact the regional coordinator.

Newfoundland Region: Chris.Hendry@dfo-mpo.gc.ca