Innovation – RAS
Flat pack fi sh farm A
Novel recirculating aquaculture system offers small scale producers an entry into the industry
modular recirculati ng aquaculture system (RAS) that enables low cost, high density farming has been developed in Ireland. Designed at the Dublin Insti tute of Tech-
nology (DIT), primarily for the rearing of shellfi sh, AquaFarm can also be adapted for fi nfi sh species, claim its inventors. Here, the project’s Stephen Davis answers Fish Farmer’s questi ons about the innovati on.
How did you come up with this idea and how did you develop it? The inventor’s own background is in manufac-
turing and design engineering. The inspirati on for AquaFarm actually stemmed from an industry partner’s experience within the mushroom indus- try, where he witnessed the practi caliti es of mul- ti -ti er Dutch shelving within mushroom tunnels. The partner approached Dublin Insti tute of
Technology (DIT) with a view to rearing abalone for commercial purposes, uti lising this same concept. The aim of the project was therefore to design a novel modular, recirculati ng aquaculture system that enabled the farming of aquati c species at lower cost and with improved ergonomics for operators versus those off ered by alternati ve commercial RAS suppliers. Our initi al prototype consisted of an above
ground, modular shelving system with tanks stacked and easily accessible, with each sliding out as required. Given that abalone require highly specifi c environmental conditi ons, such as pristi ne seawater, restricted pH, temperature ranges and dissolved oxygen levels, we were confi - dent that by making this species the subject of our endeavours, we could easily adapt the technology for other aquati c species.
It sounds like anyone can use it. How much experti se does it require to operate? RASs are self-contained aquaculture systems
that require minimal water exchange due to the internal recycling of water using both biological and mechanical fi lters. They pro- vide a controlled, predictable and bio-secure environment for the culture species. However, as with all RASs, the failure of any mechanical unit, parti cularly the pumps and blowers (which act as the heart and lungs of the system), can have catastrophic consequences to the fi sh grown within the system. To minimise the level of experti se required to operate and maintain
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AQUAFARM FACTS
AquaFarm was developed in the School of Mechanical & Design Engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
A full scale RAS model has been developed and the
product concept has been proven
AquaFarm technology allows for high density production, enabling greater efficiency and revenues
AquaFarm, a monitored control unit has been specially designed and installed to control all mechanical equipment within the system. In additi on, a complimentary alarm system has been designed to conti nuously monitor crit- ical water quality parameters and mechanical equipment, which automati cally sends SMS text noti fi cati ons to system operati ves as appropri- ate. A detailed control panel operati ng manual is included with the system.
It says it can be used for fi nfi sh – what fi sh have been reared in the system so far? The system is not geared towards fi nfi sh, but the
recirculati on control and monitoring methods can be adapted to any RAS to meet specifi c conditi ons. We are confi dent that AquaFarm can be used to rear other aquati c species as it has been tested for abalone, which require opti mal environmental conditi ons in seawater in order to thrive. However, most other species do not require such an opti mised process and it remains to be seen whether the system is commercially viable for such endeavours. Although we’re investi gati ng the farming of other species using AquaFarm, the system is specifi cally tested and opti mised for abalone and other grazing aquati c species, such as sea urchins.
endea e and oth
ecies using Aq ing aq
Abalone, as a shellfi sh, are diff erent to normal
fi nfi sh in that they graze for food on tank or seabeds, requiring surface area (rather than volume for fi nfi sh), adding to the complexity of tank design for this species.
How does the multi -species facility work in practi ce? One of the infl uences in the design of AquaFarm
was to allow for the culti vati on of multi ple aquati c species in the same tank system with each species occupying separate tanks. The incorporati on of individual, readily accessible, two-ti er tanks facili- tates interacti on and ease of access for operators to routi nely feed, clean and grade the various species being culti vated. But further research is required on a case by case basis to identi fy which species or combinati ons, other than abalone, could be profi tably reared using the system.
What kind of maximum volumes of shellfi sh or fi sh could be raised? Our own prototype system consisted of a 64- tank module. Based on a recommended stocking
www.fishfarmer-magazine.com
“We’re quietly confi dent
we will fi nd the right
commercial partner to bring
AquaFarm to market
”
Left and above: Abalone have been reared in AquaFarm tests; the AquaFarm prototype; the system could be adapted for other species; the system in operati on
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