Innovations in Farmed Halibut Handling for Improved Production Efficiencies

Summary:
Halibut PEI Inc. grows halibut from 5g to market size in a modified lobster plant that is supplied with geothermally modified moderate salinity well water that maximizes the growth potential of this species without incurring heating or cooling costs. The company has been growing Atlantic halibut in this land based facility for three years. This experience defined two problems with feedlot production of Atlantic halibut: namely variable growth rates within cohorts of the same size class and a long grow-out time from egg to plate. This project is one of many steps to address these problems by improving stock management, in this case through the application of innovative fish handling techniques.

The objective of the project was to develop improved (less stressful) fish handling mechanisms to allow gentle, frequent grading and low stress fish movement within facilities and between facilities. Halibut PEI Inc. collaborated with a manufacturer of passive grading systems for other species, EzeeGrader, to design a passive grader for flatfish to separate fish of different sizes in an attempt to optimize growth within the entire population. The passive grader was effective at separating fish by size, as indicated by size distributions of graded and ungraded populations, and incurred minimum stress in the fish, as indicated by days off feed. In conjunction with Atlantech Companies, Halibut PEI Inc. also designed and tested a prototype belt conveyor for halibut. The testing results led to the design of a commercial scale conveyor that is effective at moving halibut without damaging the fish once they are on the belts. Loading of the conveyor remains a key issue to increasing its efficiency and effectiveness. 

Project Lead: Halibut PEI Inc.

Total Project Cost: $150,696
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $85,000

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Halibut PEI Inc.

For more information please contact the regional coordinator.

Gulf Region: Stephen.Lanteigne@dfo-mpo.gc.ca