O. Schneider1x, E. Schram1, M. Poelman1, Ep Eding4

A. Rothuis2, A. van Duijn3, H. van der Mheen1

Practices in managing finfish aquaculture using

RAS technologies, the Dutch example

1 IMARES Wageningen UR, Korringaweg 5, 4401 NT Yerseke 2 Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, P.O.Box 20401, 2500EK Den Haag

3 LEI Wageningen UR, Alexanderveld 5, 2585 DB, Den Haag4 Wageningen Univeristy, Mariejkeweg 40, Wageningen

xoliver.schneider@wur.nl

IMARES

Outline

Dutch aquaculture sector

Sustainability

Pitfalls, Challenges & Opportunities

Conclusions

IMARES

Dutch aquaculture sector

Courtesy Fleuren & Nooijen BV, Someren, The Netherlands

Lamella sedimentation unit

Trickling filter

Fish tanks

IMARES

Dutch aquaculture sector

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

Fish Shellfish

IMARES

After Kamstra, 1998. Wegwijzer in de paling teelt.

RAS – technical concept

FISH TREATMENT

IMARES

Society

Gene/ MoleculeGene/ Molecule

Products

Planet

Policy & limiting conditions

institutions

technologies

peopleprofitplanet

The Wageningen approach to Sustainability: biological & social

IMARES

Society

Gene/ MoleculeGene/ Molecule

Products

Planet

Policy & limiting conditions

institutions

technologies

peopleprofitplanet

The Wageningen approach to Sustainability: biological & social

IMARES

RAS - the Dutch context (production 1000MT)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6 2004

2007

2009

IMARES

Sustainability – Economy (no of farms)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2004

2007

2009

IMARES

Sustainability – Economy (e.g. turbot)

13%

20%

25%

13%

12%

17%

Fingerling

Feed

Others

Labour

Investment

Capital

IMARES

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

Flow though RAS & drum filter & septic

tank *

RAS & drumfilter &

flocculation **

€14,411

€1,946 €527

€36,234

€10,625

€247

Sustainability – Economy meets Ecology

*Based on Kamstra & vd. Heul, 1999, ** based on Ebeling et al., 2005

Cost of waste discharge (/100 ton catfish production in Hungary (green) & The Netherlands (yellow) in 2006

IMARES

Society

Gene/ MoleculeGene/ Molecule

Products

Planet

Policy & limiting conditions

institutions

technologies

peopleprofitplanet

The Wageningen approach to Sustainability: biological & social

IMARES

Sustainability – Ecology (water use)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Pigs: (farrow-finish)

Eggs Milk (per liter)

Pellet-fed pond

RAS –Clarias

RAS – Eel RAS –Turbot

m³/kg fresh weight

Verdegem et al

IMARES

Sustainability – Ecology (feed/waste manipulation)

Faeces from modified dietFaeces from basal diet

Courtesy Brinker et al 2010

IMARES

1.

3.Sludge flowSewer

2.

1.

Sustainability – Ecology (waste treatment)

IMARES

Society

Gene/ MoleculeGene/ Molecule

Products

Planet

Policy & limiting conditions

institutions

technologies

peopleprofitplanet

The Wageningen approach to Sustainability: biological & social

IMARES

Feed System

Waste Transport

Foot-print

IMARES

0200400600800

100012001400160018002000

g C

O2 /

kg f

ish

RAS Pond

Sustainability – Ecology (CO2 Foot print & LCA)

RAS: 3.8 CO2 per kg fishPond 5.0 kg CO2 per kg fish

IMARES

Society

Gene/ MoleculeGene/ Molecule

Products

Planet

Policy & limiting conditions

institutions

technologies

peopleprofitplanet

The Wageningen approach to Sustainability: biological & social

IMARES

Sustainability – Social & Governance

Society

Natural resources (fish meal & oil, seeds, water, energy, food miles)

Welfare (husbandry, transport, slaughter)

Stichting Milleukeur, Global GAP, ASC

Self organization (NeVeVI, NGVA, Future for eel)

National Governance

Rules & Frameworks

Financial stimulation based on sustainability indicators

European Governance & Strategy

Water directive

Veterinary directive

Exotic species directive

IMARES

Pitfalls, Challenges & Opportunities

• ~30 years, no substantial market

African catfish

• no market, 1st placement inferior quality

Barramundi

• limited market, too high cost price

Happy Shrimp

• not competitive

Tilapia

IMARES

Pitfalls, Challenges & Opportunities

• Pangasius, Tilapia, Cod, Turbot, Flounder

• Supermarkets (sustainability & product safety & quality)

• Cost price

Profit

• Resource use

• Waste management

Planet

• Eel

• Reproduction & sustainability dialogue

• (Marine) Waste management

• Certifications (GlobalGAP, Aquaculture Stewardship Council)

People

IMARES

Pitfalls, Challenges & Opportunities

• African catfish Consolidation

• Claresse new market

• Eel dialogue & assessment

• Sturgeon Caviar less fisheries & illegal practices

• Sole product replacement

• Yellowtail kingfish product replacement

• Worm pond culture

Species driven

• Zeeland Sole extensive IMTA on land

• Shrimps Biofloc systems

• Urban RAS

• RAS export (e.g. to Norway, Africa, South America & Asia)

System driven

IMARES

Conclusions

Dutch aquaculture sector = innovative

Well structured governance framework

Stakeholders dialogues & several umbrella organisations

Instruments in place to develop sustainable sector animal welfare, nutrient emissions, new species, drug use & others

Some pitfalls & issues, but as well several opportunities

IMARES

Dutch Seafood for the future?