The smolts, which arrived at Barcaldine as eggs back in January of this year and were hatched and reared using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), had an average weight of 160 grams – more than double that of smolts grown by the company when using traditional hatchery methods.
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| The first Barcaldine smolts out to sea Image credit: Scottish Sea Farms |
Scottish Sea Farms' Freshwater Manager Pål Tangvik said, 'This is a major milestone for all of the team, not just at Barcaldine but across the company. The new hatchery has given us greater control over key factors including water quality, oxygen levels, temperature, light and speed of flow, meaning we have been able to ensure the best growing environment for the salmon. The result is bigger, more robust smolts that will be better able to withstand the natural challenges of the marine environment.'
Mr Tangvik continued, 'We will also be able to shorten the time these salmon will spend at sea by up to two months which will reduce their exposure to these challenges and increase survival rates, and have longer fallow periods between crops which will contribute towards a safer environment for subsequent generations of fish.'
Owing to the facility's ideal location on the shores of Loch Creran, the young salmon were transferred directly from the hatchery environment to well-boat ahead of their onward journey to one of Scottish Sea Farms' Shetland farms, removing the need for transportation by road or air, another huge step forward in terms of fish welfare.
Read the full article, HERE.
The Aquaculturists
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