The number of cleanerfish used in the aquaculture industry is staggering. Cleanerfish welfare is getting more focus, and rightly so. Cleanerfish also represent huge values, and thus their welfare is paramount for survival, well-being, and consequently enhancing their main purpose in the cages: Eating lice.
The SeaNest concept came about when we realised that a habitat for cleanerfish could be made better and more efficient. We understood that we could develop a solution that imitates the natural habitat of the lumpfish and - through design and choice of materials - would be easier to handle, be substantially easier to clean and better for the environment as a compact, reusable product. And, crucially: To better the wellbeing of the cleanerfish, in particular the lumpfish.
Looking at current hides, and discussing in-depth with fish farmers, the following main design criteria were set forth:
• Simulating a natural lumpfish habitat (shelter and plenty of smooth surfaces to attach to)
• Ease of deploying and taking out
• No loose plastic parts (what you deploy is what you take out)
• Easy of cleaning (fast cleaning by means of tools typically already on a standard site)
• Ability to withstand, and not deform, in strong currents
• Light, sturdy material that does not yield microparticles to the sea – and that may be used for several seasons and reused at the end of the lifecycle.
As a startup business, Estro was early drawn towards the fish farming industry. We were told that there were some needs in the business which could be better served. Problem solving is our area of expertise, and although we hadn’t yet any experience with the fish farming industry, we started looking into the challenge of “housing” the cleanerfish. Cleanerfish represent huge values for the industry, and there had been challenges with mortality and efficiency. Also there was a rising awareness and coming stricter regulations concerning the welfare of these hard working cleanerfish.
Read more, HERE.
The Aquaculturists
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