Just came back from a two day conference on coldwater aquaculture

[Cecil]

My goodness coldwater RAS' are really coming of age! I can remember when it was said it couldn't be done. Arctic char seem to be the coldwater counterpart of tilapia as far as tolerance and toughness. It appears Atlantic salmon can be done depending on the strain but coho salmon are much easier to do in an RAS. Some strains of AS are a pain the ***! It also appears more and more systems are utilizing the benefits and profits of aquaponics.

I also seem to notice a trend to circular systems for instant waste removal and the circular flows are beneficial to the health of salmonids and good flesh quality. There's research on walleye and saugeye (walleye X sauger hybrid) on going. A four pound 1 year old saugeye is not unheard of. Definitely harvest size in a year!

Several of the researchers are pushing sand filters for salmonids and haven't had the problems reported to me about scouring if the sand is fine enough and the filter is an improved version of earlier models. I saw a Cyclo-Bio unit in operation since 2004 with no problems.

[Mean and Green]

The only thing about cold water systems, is they cost out the rear to buy. I also wonder how much energy would be used just to run a commercial scale version.

[Pugo]

Cecil,
I would be very interested in see how they layout their systems.. did you take any pictures of the trip ???? at any rate welcome back..

[Cecil]

The only thing about cold water systems, is they cost out the rear to buy. I also wonder how much energy would be used just to run a commercial scale version.

Good points Mean and Green. Not sure wht you mean by "cost out to rear to buy" but capital costs are always high in RAS', but as artesian well sources become more scare, and there is more rigid control on water sources and the effluent -- with the alternative to pump well water -- it would seem having to pump less well water and use less water via an RAS could be an option if the profit margin is high enough.

One can seriously multiply the pounds of salmonids with a much lower flow with an RAS vs. traditional flow through, and there is the advantage of complete control and biosecurity and lack of predators. At my current level of 45 gpm I am limited to about 500 lbs. of trout. With an RAS I can increase that to a few thousand pounds -- although with my niche market where fins have to be perfect -- I would keep densities low. I can so that as I get 25 to 30 dollars per pound for my fish.

I believe RAS technology is the wave of the future for aquaculture. We ignore it at our own peril.

[Cecil]

Cecil,
I would be very interested in see how they layout their systems.. did you take any pictures of the trip ???? at any rate welcome back..

Yes I did take pictures. I will be doing an article on the conference for my state aquaculture newsletter this month. I'll post a link to the newsletter.

[Pugo]

Cool thanks, Cecil.

[kellenw]

I'll be looking forward to the article!

[Pseudoreality]

Arctic char seem to be the coldwater counterpart of tilapia as far as tolerance and toughness.

That's good to know. I was thinking of getting char and was worried that they might require really clean water because in the wild they live in the most pristine water in the world. I'm actually in an arctic community right now that has great char fishing. They also hold the record for the coldest wind chill ever recorded at -92 C! Not near as bad right now though.

I look forward to reading your article as well.