ARS | Publication request: Design and performance of recirculating systems for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at the USDA ARS National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (Franklin, Maine)

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Aquacultural Engineering Society
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: May 12, 2010
Publication Date: August 1, 2010
Citation: Wolters, W.R., Masters, A., Vinci, B., Summerfelt, S.T. 2010. Design and performance of recirculating systems for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at the USDA ARS National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (Franklin, Maine). Proceedings of the Aquacultural Engineering Society. T.T. Rakestraw and L.S. Douglas (eds). p. 150-152.

Technical Abstract: Atlantic salmon cultured in the NCWMAC breeding program have grown well in the fish culture systems during the first 3 years of operation. The systems were operated at approximately 98% reuse (2% makeup water on the basis of flow rate). The water recirculating systems maintained acceptable water quality in the various Atlantic salmon culture tanks, i.e., mean concentrations of dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, total ammonia nitrogen, and nitrite nitrogen were near saturation, < 10 mg/L, < 0.3 mg/L, and < 0.2 mg/L, respectively. Maintaining water salinity levels of at least 1-2 ppt has controlled Saprolegnia sp. problems. The use of groundwater, reuse culture technologies, and effective biosecurity protocols has resulted in fish health certification for the facility and fish stocks. No mortality events or pathogens of regulatory concern have been reported on any fish health checks. Water temperature in the fish culture systems has been largely maintained by passive heating or cooling of makeup water flowing through the well water tower. The research objective focusing on the development of an Atlantic salmon breeding program has been successful. Three generations of salmon have been performance evaluated in industry net pens, captive broodfish maintained at the Franklin site in reuse systems, and 3 year classes of selected broodfish were spawned in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Approximately 500,000 eggs from selected broodfish were transferred each year to commercial producers and consumers through a cooperative agreement with industry.