At the Río Blanco Ecopiscicultura in Marine Harvest Chile a combination of ordinary as well as more sophisticated technology allows the freshwater production of fry and alevin to take place on land in one location.
- The project is a true example of sustainable innovation within aquaculture as it optimizes the production process and minimizes the environmental impact, says Freshwater Director Oscar Garay in Marine Harvest Chile.
A high-tech system ensures intensive water recirculation so fish can be grown indoor in tanks in the safest possible conditions. With the land based system it is possible to substitute six lake based cultivation centres, leading to a minimization of environmental impacts in lake zones and natural water currents.
Large biofilters enables recirculation of the water used and only a small percentage of the water needs to be replaced daily. The first part of the project was initiated in 2004 and includes the stages broodstock, incubation, hatchery, fry and alevin. It is situated close to the head office of Marine Harvest Chile in Puerto Montt and is projected for a production of 40 million of 10 grams Fry per year.
The second part of the project consists of a land based smoltification site which is placed on the Chiloé Island, close to the seawater operations. In October 2006, the construction of the first stage of the Rauco Ecopiscicultura was completed with implementation of water recirculation technology. The site is designed to receive alevin and complete the salmon’s smoltification process. The site’s exceptional geographic situation allows the simultaneous use of fresh water and sea water, which helps facilitate the physical change and prepare the fish for the next stage in the sea. The projected capacity for the final project is 20 million smolt per year.
Marine Harvest Chile’s land based smolt production has many advantages compared to traditional lake based production. The target is to achieve five yearly production cycles, which increases the stability in smolt delivery. In addition the environmental impact is reduced due to the limited use of freshwater in the production. The new farming method provides optimal sanitary conditions and reduces risks for diseases, and the excellent production conditions at the smolt stage contributes to improved performance at the seawater stage.