System not 'closed'
by Greg Gibson, Courier-Islander, May 18, 2011
I read with interest your article on a new type of aquaculture system being trialed here in Campbell River ( C. R.-based closed-containment project impresses CAAR members, May 13th). I'm a fish farmer who's always been keenly interested in new technology that salmon farmers have trialed over the past 25 years. Some have been very successful and some not. But I've always been impressed by the "can do" attitude that fish farmers possess. I will look forward to seeing the results of this new fish growing system when the fish are harvested next year.
But there is one fairly large error in your report. This system is not "closed containment." That would give the impression that all water is filtered going in and out of the system. A true example of "closed containment" can be found at every salmon farm hatchery. Every salmon farmer grows their salmon on land for one-third of their life (referred to as recirculating aquaculture systems or RAS). RAS systems filter the water going in and going out. While this new system you've profiled in your paper several times is interesting, it's certainly not closed containment as the water freely flows in and out, just as a net pen does. What's unique about this new system is that it will capture some of the organic fish waste and can be used as fertilizer. That is definitely a good thing -but hardly can be defined as "closed containment".
In fact, the company's own website refers to this system as "solid-wall containment systems". Perhaps the Courier-Islander should follow their lead so they are not misleading their readership.
Greg Gibson
