Review of Recirculation Aquaculture System Technologies and their Commercial Application Prepared for Highlands and Islands Enterprise Final Report March 2014 Stirling Aquaculture Institute of Aquaculture University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA Tel: +44 (0)1786 466575 Fax: +44 (0)1786 462133 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.stirlingaqua.com In Association with RAS Aquaculture Research Ltd. RAS Technologies and their commercial application – final report Stirling Aquaculture Page i Report authors: Francis Murray, John Bostock (University of Stirling) and David Fletcher (RAS Aquaculture Research Ltd.) Disclaimer: The contents of this report reflect the knowledge and opinions of the report authors at the time of writing. Nothing in the report should be construed to be the official opinion of the University of Stirling or Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The report is intended to be a general review of recirculated aquaculture systems technologies and their potential impact on the Scottish aquaculture sector. No part of the report should be taken as advice either for or against investment in any aspect of the sector. In this case, independent expert advice that examines specific proposals on their own merits is strongly recommended. The report authors, the University of Stirling, RAS Aquaculture Research Ltd. and Highlands and Islands Enterprise accept no liability for any use that is made of the information in this report. Whilst due care has been taken in the collation, selection and presentation of information in the report, no warranty is given as to its completeness, accuracy or future validity. Copyright: The copyright holder for this report is Highlands and Islands Enterprise other than for photographs or diagrams where copyright may be held by third parties. No use or reproduction for commercial purposes are allowed. RAS Technologies and their commercial application – final report Stirling Aquaculture Page ii Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objectives ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Approach .......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2 Historic development of RAS technologies .................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Origins ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Commercial RAS performance in the UK ............................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Other regional commercial RAS Examples ........................................................................................................... 10 3 RAS technology and range of application ...................................................................................................................... 13 3.1 Rationale for RAS ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.1 RAS Advantages ................................................................................................................................................. 13 3.1.2 Challenges of RAS technology ....................................................................................................................... 14 3.2 RAS typology and design considerations ................................................................................................................ 16 3.3 Current examples ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 3.4 Biosecurity and disease issues in RAS ..................................................................................................................... 22 3.4.1 General issues and approaches to biosecurity .......................................................................................... 22 3.4.2 Parasites in RAS ................................................................................................................................................. 24 3.4.3 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in RAS ......................................................................................................... 24 3.4.4 Microbial pathogens .......................................................................................................................................... 25 3.4.5 Use of Chemical Therapeutants in RAS ...................................................................................................... 25 3.4.6 Alternative Treatments.................................................................................................................................... 26 3.4.7 Non-chemical Control of Disease ................................................................................................................ 27 3.5 Developing technologies ............................................................................................................................................. 28 3.5.1 Diet density manipulation ............................................................................................................................... 28 3.5.2 Tank self-cleaning technology ........................................................................................................................ 28 3.5.3 Nitrate denitrification in RAS ......................................................................................................................... 28 3.5.4 Annamox systems ............................................................................................................................................. 30 3.5.5 Automated in-line water quality monitoring .............................................................................................. 31 3.5.6 Tainting substances: Geosmins (GSM) and 2-methylisorboneol (MIB) contamination of aquaculture water ................................................................................................................................................................ 31 3.5.7 Efficient control of dissolved gases ............................................................................................................... 33 3.5.8 Use of GMOs ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 4 Prospects for salmon farming in RAS operations ........................................................................................................ 35 4.1 Background .................................................................................................................................................................... 35 4.2 Current activity ............................................................................................................................................................. 35 4.3 Intermediate strategies ............................................................................................................................................... 37 4.4 Technical issues for salmon production in RAS ................................................................................................... 40 4.5 Economic appraisals and prospects ......................................................................................................................... 41 5 Potential for commercial RAS in HIE area .................................................................................................................... 44 5.1 Candidate species and technologies ........................................................................................................................ 44 5.2 Competitive environment .......................................................................................................................................... 46 5.3 Economic appraisal ....................................................................................................................................................... 46 5.3.1 Economics of RAS Production of Atlantic Salmon ................................................................................... 46 5.3.2 Economics of RAS production of other species ....................................................................................... 50 6 Implications for HIE area if RAS develop elsewhere .................................................................................................. 54 6.1 Potential scenarios ....................................................................................................................................................... 54 6.2 Market factors 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