Water from the deep
Mørch’s research will focus on the effects of deep-water lifting, particularly in cages equipped with lice skirts. He aims to analyze how local conditions, such as tides and coastal currents, affect the system’s effectiveness. His goal is to clarify the full potential of the Turbolift airlift system in commercial fish farming.
Environment
The Turbolift and similar systems are designed to maintain an optimal environment within the skirts. In summer and autumn, when sea temperatures rise, oxygen saturation becomes critical for salmon appetite and growth. However, lice skirts can restrict the flow of oxygen-rich water, which can harm the fish. This often leads farmers to temporarily remove the skirts to increase oxygen levels, exposing the pens to lice and thus increasing the need for delousing.
The goal of deep-water lifting is to maintain good water quality, allowing lice skirts to remain in place, reducing the need for delousing, and supporting fish welfare, lower mortality, and a stable feeding cycle.
Understanding key effects
Alexander will analyze parameters such as total gas pressure, salinity, oxygen saturation, current conditions, and temperature to understand Turbolift’s impact on water quality. He emphasizes the importance of thorough testing of new technologies to gain a deep understanding of actual effects.
“This approach requires extensive data collection and detailed testing in collaboration with farmers. Testing is being conducted at multiple locations to ensure that the results are representative and provide a holistic assessment of how deep-water lifting affects water quality under various conditions,” he explains.
“To address the daily challenges faced by fish farmers, it’s crucial to take the time to explore new products and solutions in detail,” he adds.
Important collaboration
The thesis is a collaboration between NMBU and Bio Marine, and Mørch expects to complete his work by spring 2025. Odd Ivar Lekang, a professor at NMBU, highlights the importance of collaboration between universities and the private sector to address future aquaculture challenges.
“By combining research and industrial experience, new solutions can be implemented faster, especially within sustainable production methods and resource optimization. This partnership promotes innovation and can contribute to more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions, which are essential to address global challenges like climate change and increased food production,” says Lekang.