‘Egg’ farm may crack lice problem

MARINE Harvest is to apply for 14 development licences in Norway to test a new enclosed farm design that resembles a giant egg.

The technology, created by Hauge Aqua, is based on a 44m high and 33m wide structure, 90 per cent of which will be submerged. It will be able to accommodate 1,000 tonnes of salmon. Marine Harvest aims to run pilot tests with prototypes before full-scale testing with ten units in 2018. ‘The objective of this project is to enhance the competitive advantage Norwegian aquaculture already has to access sheltered coastal areas,’ said Alf-Helge Aarskog, CEO of Marine Harvest.

‘The egg represents a new direction, and is a leap in the development of closed systems. Our goal is to produce healthy and tasty salmon in a more sustainable and cost effective manner.

‘To justify the investment costs, as well as to verify the technology’s competitiveness and performance, large-scale tests are vital.

‘It is therefore very important that our application is granted in its entirety. If we succeed, it will be a quantum leap for the entire industry,’ said Aarskog.

Hauge Aqua claims its system will help combat the problem of sea lice and dramatically reduce infection. It will also reduce the chance of escapes, enable more accurate feeding, reduce nutrient discharges and thus increase production per site.