SalMar has recently published the midway report from the first production cycle with Marine Donut. The report provides a detailed update on the facility's performance so far, highlighting several positive results in areas such as operations, water quality, and fish health.
Here is a brief summary of the key findings from SalMar's midway report. Read the full report here (Norwegian only).
Marine Donut is equipped with a comprehensive monitoring system for water quality, including oxygen levels, pH, salinity, and algae content. Measurements since July 2024 indicate that the system largely maintains stable and favorable conditions for the fish, despite some calibration challenges related to turbidity. Maintaining a healthy water environment is crucial for fish welfare, and the data is stored in a cloud solution for further evaluation.
The report highlights that four successful fish transfers have been completed without issues. Fish welfare during transfers has been assessed as good, with only minor occurrences of fin wear and red belly, likely related to delousing before transfer. Operational experiences have also led to adjustments in the systems for dead fish removal and feeding, which now function as expected after technical improvements.
A key part of the monitoring in Marine Donut is focused on fish health and welfare. An outbreak of Pancreas Disease (PD) was detected in August, though mortality remains low. The fish have shown good growth despite the disease. It is suspected that the fish were infected before entering Marine Donut. Cortisol measurements from feces samples also show no signs of stress, which is a positive indicator of good fish welfare.
Marine Donut has proven robust under challenging operational conditions, though some technical adjustments are needed. Water flow measurements indicate that pump system adjustments are required to achieve optimal flow. Full-scale technical performance measurements will continue throughout the winter, especially to evaluate the structure's response to wave conditions during the season.
So far, Marine Donut shows promising results, both technically and biologically. SalMar continues to adjust and optimize the technology as they await the final results of the production cycle. With positive indications of improved fish welfare, controlled environment, and adaptable technology, Marine Donut could become a key innovation for the future of sustainable aquaculture.
