SeafoodSource closely follows innovations in seafood processing and equipment and regularly compiles a summary of news from the sector.

– Nofitech and Hardingsmolt have signed a contract for a new post-smolt module in Tørvikbygd, Norway.

Nofitech manufactures equipment for aquaculture recirculation systems (RAS) and has developed the “ModulRAS”, a complete module that can be installed for smolt, post-smolt, rearing and hatchery farms.

Hardingsmolt plans to expand its facility to include a 13,800 cubic meter tank for brackish water production. After the expansion, the company says it will have a total production capacity of 4.2 million postmolts, each weighing one kilogram.

“We have had very good experiences as a customer of Nofitech and in recent years we have optimized our production with systems built by Nofitech to deliver high quality smolts adapted to seawater,” said Frode Sandven, Managing Director of Hardingsmolt. “They deliver a standardized and efficient concept while being open to improvements. Although we have had the opportunity to produce large smolts for several years, this construction phase is crucial for expanding our production.”

Construction of the new module will begin in fall 2024 and be operational in summer 2026, Nofitech said.

“We are proud of the trust Hardingsmolt has placed in us as a partner by choosing us and our cost-effective and compact ModulRAS concept for the third time as they now increase their land-based production of postsmolt,” said Robert Hundstad, CEO of Nofitech.

– Denmark-based processing equipment manufacturer Carsoe has launched a new add-on module for vertical plate freezers for shrimp, which it calls the “Product Compactor”.

The company said the new device automates the processes of compacting shrimp in vertical plate freezers, improving block quality and enabling continuous production.

“The constant pressure of the product compactor ensures an optimized water content in each block, which is critical to obtain stronger and more uniform blocks,” the company said. “Block quality is further improved by an adjustable pressure setting that ensures accurate compression. The first compaction compacts the shrimp to leave room for topping up with additional shrimp. A second pressing operation is then performed to obtain a fully compacted block.”

The company said the product also relieves physical strain on processing workers, improving working conditions and efficiency.

– Salmon company Multi X has appointed Bioelements Group, a sustainable packaging company, to supply a new biodegradable, compostable packaging solution for its salmon products.

Multi X will use Bioelements’ bio-based packaging products to replace all the bags it uses to package its fresh salmon fillets. Multi X said this will account for 35 percent of its annual production and help the company reduce its use of plastic products.

“It is a biodegradable alternative that will have a positive impact on the environment. Bioelements bags have the same mechanical, barrier and performance properties as traditional materials,” said Ignacio Parada, CEO of Bioelements. “With this alternative, Multi X can offer its customers an alternative that helps stop the pollution caused by waste accumulation. People are increasingly demanding that companies address environmental problems and this project will undoubtedly increase the value of the brand within the sector and open the doors to further development of joint projects.”

Daniel Santa Cruz, supply manager at Multi X, said the packaging performed well in Multi X’s testing and then successfully biodegraded within the timeframe specified by Bioelements.

“We are pleased with the test results of Bioelements’ technology and they were successful,” he said. “We look forward to introducing the new packaging and working with Bioelements on other solutions to solve the plastic packaging problem.”

– Mowi Scotland has supplied refurbished Sea-Cap feed barges from the Gael Force Group to its Loch Etive facility as part of the company’s consolidation measures from four to three farms.

Mowi Scotland said three Sea-Cap barges will be used for salmon feeding at the Loch Etive facility. Two further refurbished barges will be available for Mowi’s operations in Ireland. Each barge will be converted to a low-profile hybrid barge, reducing carbon emissions and cutting Mowi’s operating costs by £4 million ($5.2 million, €4.7 million) annually.

The barges will also improve the visual appearance of the farms, Mowi said.

“Following a consultation to gather the views of communities around Loch Etive, local residents were largely in favour of switching to less conspicuous equipment and hybrid battery barges,” said Clara MacGhee, Mowi’s area manager. “Some rightly stated that farms could be cleaner, so this switch is an important step to reduce the impact on the surrounding area.”

Stewart Graham, managing director of Gael Force Group, said the refurbishment process provides a solution for companies looking to make better use of their older equipment.

“A few years ago we were faced with the challenge of how to deal with disused small concrete ships. – whether complete dismantling, decommissioning or conversion is to take place – and we had the idea of ​​upgrading the Sea-Cap feed vessels to unmanned, shallow feeding units with the lowest environmental impact,” said Graham. “With advances in technology and the ability to now remotely control vessels from feed control centres, it became clear that upcycling the vessels had the potential to bring huge sustainability and economic benefits. We reconfigured the designs, removed the superstructure, reducing the profile and visual impact, fitted new, modern Gael Force SeaFeed systems and hybrid power solutions.”

– Research from the University of New Hampshire has shown that the behavior of lumpfish can be changed by lighting solutions – which could benefit salmon farming.

Lumpfish are used in salmon farms as a solution to sea lice. Lumpfish are cleaner fish that eat the sea lice from salmon, but the species can also be aggressive toward younger lumpfish, reducing the effectiveness of stocking lumpfish alongside salmon.

UNH researchers have found that changes in light levels and fish density in tanks can alter lumpfish behavior, which could help salmon farmers use the species as a solution to sea lice.

“Lukash are critical to meeting the high demand for cleaner fish in salmon farming, but their aggressive behavior, including cannibalism, presents challenges,” said Elizabeth Fairchild, associate professor in UNH’s College of Life Sciences and Agriculture Research. “Understanding the factors that increase ukash aggressiveness and providing aquaculture operations with policies to curb this behavior are essential to increasing fish farm production and rearing efficiency.”

The new research could help improve production in lumpfish farms and increase their efficiency, the researchers said.