Sizeable Canadian delegation at aquaculture tech summit
40th anniversary of Aqua Nor, the world’s largest trade exhibition for fish farming technology attracts 600 exhibitors from 26 countries.
By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews
A sizeable Canadian delegation is heading to Norway this week to attend the 40th anniversary of Aqua Nor, the world’s largest trade exhibition for fish farming technology.
The exhibition, which will be held at Trondheim Spektrum in Trondheim, has attracted about 600 exhibitors from 26 countries. Around 25,000 visitors are expected from between 60 and 80 countries during the event that opens August 20, 2019.
The Nova Scotia delegation is headed by the province’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell. The mission will introduce municipal officials to the finfish aquaculture industry and communities involved in it.
“Nova Scotia seafood is known internationally as a high-quality product which creates strong economic opportunities for Nova Scotia,” said Colwell.
“This trip will help our community leaders become better informed about the potential for aquaculture development in their own communities.”
The delegation is part of a broader 50-delegate Atlantic Canadian mission of industry and government representatives visiting aquaculture facilities in coastal communities and attending Aqua Nor.
Nova Scotia’s aquaculture sector is valued at $116 million.
Canadian exhibitors include the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association and Ontario-based Deep Trekker, which has a range of Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) solutions for the aquaculture industry.
Deep Trekker ROVs can be utilised for monitoring offshore fish farms and can take on any number of tasks that currently require specialized and expensive human intervention, such as inspecting underwater nets for damage or holes.
Tim Kennedy, executive director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) said he expects to see representatives of many aquaculture tech companies and Canadian fish farmers at the event.
“Salmon farming is a high tech sector. The Aqua Nor conference brings together global leaders from industry, the academic community and technology sectors to consider challenges and collaborate on solutions,” Kennedy told SeaWestNews.
“This sector is committed to constant improvement, and Aqua Nor is a critical venue for the exchange of ideas.”
Central Vancouver Island-based CPI Equipment Inc.is one of the companies that will be present at Aqua Nor 2019.
CPI designs, manufactures and installs aquaculture aeration systems worldwide for protection against plankton/algae blooms, low oxygen situations, movement of water for sea lice skirts and other harmful events and treatments.
Most of its equipment is designed locally by the company’s professional engineer/design and machine team.
One of the highlights of the event is the presentation of the Nor-Fishing Foundation Innovation Awards.
Aqua Nor received a total of 30 applications for this year’s Innovation Award from innovator companies in 11 countries.
The following three finalists have been nominated for this year’s award:
Benchmark Animal Health, has developed a water purification system for the Aquaculture industry to prevent medicines entering the sea. “CleanTreat by Benchmark”, is currently deployed in Norway, working alongside wellboats to remove medicines from sea lice bath treatment water. There is an opportunity for the system to be used alongside treatments for many other diseases and parasitic infections. To date the CleanTreat system has processed more than 300,000 m3 of treatment water.
Ecotone AS, Trondheim, Norway has developed “SpectraLice” – a fully automatic underwater camera that counts lice on freely swimming salmon. The camera has software that analyses all colours in reflected light and uses it for automatic detection. “SpectraLice” counts and reports salmon lice via 4G networks to the desired platform (plant, head office and portable devices). The system can also report to authorities and researchers as desired.
Mørenot Robotics AS, Bodø, Norway has developed an autonomous underwater robot that prevents fouling growth on the net by using a continuous low-intensity brushing. NetRobot X2 is put into the water in a clean net and will keep the net wall continuously clean and free of fouling as long as the fish farmer wishes. The robot has electric thrusters that ensure proper pressure against the net and manoeuvring according to the operating pattern of cleaning the entire net wall. NetRobot is a new tool for the fish farmer who wants to contribute to the fish’s well-being and growth, for the environment and for a good result for the farmer.
This year’s Innovation Award of NOK 100,000 and a diploma will be presented to the winner on the opening day of Aqua Nor on 20 August.