Research closes the loop on aquaculture waste

Description

Research closes the loop on aquaculture waste. A novel chemical-free approach to treating aquaculture waste could see co-products returned to the sector to fuel the growth of ocean life such as marine worms and seaweed.

Led by researchers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), with funding support from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), the initiative could open up a new avenue for seafood producers to deal with waste in a more circular way. Scottish Sea Farms, water technology supplier Power and Water, and waste services company Tradebe are also supporting the research.

While most waste from aquaculture is already recycled, the results of this study could see by-products being repurposed within the farmed salmon sector, including as a protein-rich feed ingredient.

Water treatment equipment designed and supplied by Power and Water will be used at Scottish Sea Farms’ Barcaldine Hatchery near Oban for the duration of the project. Using an electrochemical process and ultrasound technology, it will first extract excess water from waste matter before the remaining nutrient-rich material is fed to marine worms – or polychaetes – to boost their growth.