Development of Proficient Innovative Indoor Recirculating Aquaculture System and Reuse Process Necessary to Achieve Optimal Operating Efficiencies and Capacity to Support Value Added Diversified Multi-Tiered Poly-Cultures

Summary:
Given the direct market competition from the wild-caught commercial fishing industry and the relatively low margins attained on Yellow Perch being raised in North Shore Fish Farms (NSFF) existing indoor land based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS); sustainable production of Yellow Perch was not economically sound. As a result of AIMAP financially supporting our proposal, we achieved a sustainable production model that cost-effectively put NSFF in a better position by way of designing/advancing recirculating culture methods and technologies that successfully / substantially achieved energy and system efficiencies to reduce operating costs. In addition to achieving operation efficiencies, we also accomplished increased fish stocking and cohort distribution capabilities that will result in faster more proficient Yellow Perch development rates, yield potentials and revenues. Findings will also act as a template for the urban aquaculture industry across rural Canada for the sole purpose of Yellow Perch production.

As per our AIMAP agreement, we successfully developed and implemented capacity expansions onto our existing Yellow Perch indoor RAS production model that brought about industry efficiency and efficacy innovations in the form of carbon capture and removal, improved liquid oxygenation disbursement methods and energy efficient bio-filtration advancements that utilize unique downward low head pressure hydraulic load alternatives. System testing and preliminary rearing of fingerlings has demonstrated these innovations as being successful in achieving economically viable sustainable production of Yellow Perch. With current technological limitations dictating production output, diversity and operating economics in urban aquaculture, we believe our accomplished RAS advancements will also help stimulate opportunity, attention and innovative alternatives to the Canadian urban aquaculture industry. We think these unique and economically sustainable RAS processes will also improve opportunities to surge growth and awareness within the Canadian marketplace that is currently dominated by foreign imported products.

Project Lead: North Shore Fish Farms Ltd.

Total Project Cost: $217,700
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $48,500

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: North Shore Fish Farms Ltd.

For more information please contact the regional coordinator.

Central and Arctic Region: Adrienne.Paylor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca