Integrating red macroalgae into land-based marine finfish aquaculture

The integration of seaweed and finfish aquaculture is an attractive proposition, that has yet to prove commercially viability. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), as it is now referred, has the potential to reduce environmental impact of fish-farming, bring greater social acceptance to fish farming practices, while resulting in economic diversification through additional products. Although the methods have been primarily applied to open systems, the benefits are no-less applicable to land-based marine farm operations. The operating costs of marine land-based systems are significantly higher than the open-cage systems commonly used for salmon farming. Consequently, to be economically viable, all aspects of the production cycle must be energy efficient, and production must be focused on high value products. Over the past decade, Scotian Halibut Ltd. have developed the World's only land-based operation for growing Atlantic halibut, a high-quality product that commands the high price. Over the next decade, the company vision is to diversify, and improve the efficiency of its operations by integrating marine plant culture into its business plan. By culturing specific red-algae within the recirculation system, the algae will convert the waste nutrients, primarily Nitrates and Phosphates, into valuable plant products. Adopting these 'environmentally friendly' farming methods will allow 'ecolabelling' of their products, and exploitation a fast expanding niche market among discerning consumers.