Study explores impact of RAS on salmon
THE impact of recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) on salmon smolts is to be investigated by a consortium led by Stirling University’s Institute of Aquaculture (IoA).
The £2 million Robust-Smolt study – involving 14 institutions and organisations – will compare the robustness and susceptibility of RAS reared Atlantic salmon to pathogens. Over the next three years, the research, backed by leading salmon farmers, will aim to provide new knowledge and scientific tools to monitor and enhance farming practices.
The IoA’s Professor Herve Migaud, principal investigator on the project, said:‘The rapid global expansion of the salmon industry has been made possible through the adoption of new farming technologies – including contained systems such as RAS – and husbandry regimes.
‘These systems have clear advantages over land based flow through and freshwater loch systems, and young salmon produced in RAS under manipulated regimes – such as constant temperature and light – reach larger sizes and can be transferred to seawater earlier than ever before.
‘However, our knowledge of the impacts these new rearing systems have on salmon physiology is very limited.’
Both Mowi and Scottish Sea Farms, which are part of the consortium, have invested in new RAS hatcheries, growing larger smolts on land before transferring them to sea pens.
The consortium also includes the Scottish Salmon Company, Cooke Aquaculture Scotland and Grieg Seafood; the universities of Aberdeen, Exeter and Edinburgh; CEFAS; BioMar; Pharmaq; SAIC and the SSPO.