Sustainable Sustainable Aquaculture of Arctic

charrNorthcharr

www.northcharr.eu

European UnionEuropean Regional Development Fund

Project partnersNofima Marine

Project partners

Norway

Holar UniversityCollage

700 tonnes/yearFarmed in freswater recirculation systems and some in netpens in the sea

Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies

Iceland3000 Studies3000 tonnes/yearOnly farmed in landbasedsystems using

th i h t

Sweden1200 tonnes/year, farmed in landbased systems as fry and i i f h geothermic heat in netpens in freshwater during the ongrowing phase

Objectives:Objectives:

This project aims at developing farming f A ti h i th N th i h of Arctic charr in the Northern periphery

area.

by identifying production potential and bottle-necks in different regions and with different technologies (WP2).

by developing and implementing solutions to problems in farming that we have identified already (WP3 ).

by initiating triple-helix structures in order to provide by initiating triple-helix structures in order to provide stakeholders with tools and contact network that will facilitate development (WP4).

Expected outcomep A tested and documented best practice for triple helix networks in charr farming. An

increase of the number of new companies by at least 4 with a total annual production of at least 1000 tonnes within the next 5 years.of at least 1000 tonnes within the next 5 years.

Existing companies will increase their production from about 3000 tonnes to 6000 tonnes within 5 years.

Increased local and regional processing of the fish with the establishment of at least 2 g p gprocessing plants

An increased number of employees by at least 25 annual workers on the farms and an increased number of employees by approximately 25 in new and existing processing plants.

WP2 Identifying potentials and bottle-necksy g p b

The general trends of development and status.g p

Information on annual production, production technology, fish stocks, health status, as well as legislation, production strategies and staff qualifications.

Bottlenecks of production will be identified in the different NPP countries, and for different technologies.

Identification of problems offers an opportunity to coordinate R&D activities making use of limited R&D funds more effective.

d f f h d ff d h l d Status description of farming, given the different environments and technology used.

Outcome sofar:

Questioners translated to Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic has been sent to all id tifi d f D t i b i ll t d d ill b t d identified farmers. Data is now being collected and will be presented soon

Overall national statistics are being collected using a general questioner in English.

WP3 Already identified issues with respect to production potential and bottlenecks

Egg survival and brood-stock

Increase egg production

Monitoring egg and larval survival to identify bottlenecks in production and thus identify critical stages during development.

Compare survival of eggs from brood stock reared at different temperatures

Outcome sofar:

The financing of the breeding program in Iceland and Sweden are secured for the next years. The Swedish breeding program has increased 100 %.

The effect of egg size and energy content on survival has been analysed to evaluate if l t d b di i th i l f th b l ti f i selected breeding can improve the survival further by selecting for egg size.

Survival of eggs from brood stock from the same genetic families reared at different temperatures has been done. Mean survival increased from 35 to 70% by keeping the brood stock in cooler waterthe brood stock in cooler water

WP3 Already identified issues with respect to WP3 Already identified issues with respect to production potential and bottlenecks

Feed composition

A test feeding schedule for typical Arctic charr farming conditions will be performed using diets with different levels of VO during the on growing phase and the preusing diets with different levels of VO during the on-growing phase and the pre-slaughter phase. Alternatives to fish oil and fish meal are tested, i.e. it is important to different vegetable oils with respect to the conditions (cold water) charr is farmed in.

Outcome sofar:

We have tested and are testing optimal protein content as well as alternative protein and fat sources for fish of different sizes is an ongoing activity.

We are in the process of having the knowledge how to grow Arctic charr with p f g g gsustainable ingredients without a major reduction of the important long chain n-3 fatty acids (omega-3).

Example on the effect of alternative ingredients in fishfeedExample on the effect of alternative ingredients in fishfeed

Fatty acids in white muscle 0%ROPL

40cids

75%ROWild

20

30

tal f

atty

ac

Replacing 75 % of the fish oil with rapeseed oil gives a lower

0

10

% o

f tot n3/n6 quote

(less healthy)Farmed Arctic charr given marine fish oil

18:2n-6 20:4n-6 18:3n-3 20:5n-3 22:6n-3 n-3/n-6

Fatty acids

has a higher n3/n6 quote than wild charr from fresh water.

Swimming ability will be effected by temperature and diet composition

• The effect of replacing fish oil with rapeseed oil (75%) and rapeseed oil +palm oil (37.5%+37.5%) in (4 ºC, 10 ºC and 17 ºC) was tested.

• Critical swimming speed (Ucrit) (equivalent to test bicycles for humans!)

Arctic charr fed only a diet with fish oil diet with fish oil performed better in all temperatures.Palmoil (PO) in the Palmoil (PO) in the diet resulted in poor swimming performance at cold ptemperatures

The Robin Hood principleCharr farming

Removal of nutrients Cleansing +(N, P) by fisheries

Cleansing +Fish feed production

WP3 Already identified issues with respect to production potential and bottlenecks Feed delivery

The objective is to define a feeding strategy for Arctic charr that optimizes feed utilization and minimizes environmental impact of charr farms.

Results from previous studies by us and others will be summarized in a user friendly man al Depending on the o tcome of WP2 specific st dies ma be done nde this manual. Depending on the outcome of WP2 specific studies may be done under this NPP project.

Outcome sofar:

A manual is produced A manual is produced

Self feeders (left) and pellets collectors

like Aquasmart (right) are used to like Aquasmart (right) are used to

analyze annual and diel variation in

apetite

WP3 Already identified issues with respect to WP3 Already identified issues with respect to production potential and bottlenecks

E i l i Environmental impact

Site evaluation criteria Developing a model for such evaluations is proposed.

Outcome sofar:

One example of different models tested when establishing a new site in Malgomaj, Västerbotten

W Water treatment

RAS systems i landbased systems. increase production without increasing water and heat requirements. This will also reduce the environmental impact of charr

O t f Outcome sofar:

A summery of technical knowledge

WP3 Already identified issues with respect to production potential and bottlenecks Fish Welfare

Welfare indicators

production potential and bottlenecks

Welfare indicators

Outcome sofar:

Welfare standards and operational welfare indicators for Arctic charr aquaculture are being developed within in Cost 867 program (http://www.fishwelfare.com/) by are being developed within in Cost 867 program (http://www.fishwelfare.com/) by participants in this NPP project.

Humane slaughter methods are being tested

Outcome sofar:

Humane slaughter methods for Arctic charr using electric stunning have been successfully tested in cooperation with the “Humane Slaughter Association” (www.hsa.org.uk). Funding for a full scale test and a mobile emergency slaughter

hi h b li d d d f h di h i l l d d hmachine has been applied and granted from the Swedish Agricultural Board and the Fishery foundation.

Drawing of a slaughter machineDrawing of a slaughter machine

Electric field 30s

The fish are stunned by electricityThe fish are collected on a table and their gills are cut

The fish are pumped upThe fish are deblooded while still unconscious

Photos from the slaughter testg

Fish are anesthetized with electricity The degree of unconsciousness is measured

The length and strength of the electric pulse must not cause bleedings

WP4 Triple helix networks4 p Bringing together investors, representatives of local communities and scientific

experts in aquaculture to present and discuss suitable approaches, methods and sites for charr farming, as well as marketing.

Identifying and evaluating best practice, and identify the most suitable companies and know-how for building up Arctic charr farms and for transnational co-operation. Meet the most important actors and evaluate possible sites Meet the most important actors and evaluate possible sites.

Transnational ownership as a tool to boost production is encouraged.

Outcome sofar:

S l ti ith th t i t t t k h ld h b d t f Several meetings with the most important stakeholders has been arranged to form triple helix structures and to stimulate cooperation between farmers and the processing industry.

Actors in this project have encouraged a Norwegian and Swedish company to start Actors in this project have encouraged a Norwegian and Swedish company to start a new Arctic charr farm and a slaughter house creating several new jobs

Aquaculture Centre North was created which will be the main center for producing charr eggs and housing the Swedish breeding programme.

Thankyou!Thankyou!