Dingwall firm on Aqua Nor awards shortlist

Dingwall-based Ace Aquatec has been nominated for its sophisticated pipeline in-water electric stunner, which is capable of stunning fish one metre from the holding pen prior to pumping for slaughter.

According to the company’s website, the system can be employed in a range of applications including on all dead haul vessels as well as after live haul. The system is supported by many of the UK’s largest supermarkets because it meets EU requirements for ensuring humane slaughter.

Ace Aquatec supplies its technology around the world, with installations in Germany, Zimbabwe, Japan, Maine, Canada, Russia, as well as Scotland, where it is used by Cooke Aquaculture and Scottish Sea Farms.

The system comprises three to five electrodes and connected switching electronics capable of rendering the fish unconscious within one second, without damage to the flesh.

“It is believed that the system has the potential to transform welfare and efficiencies in aquaculture and mariculture worldwide for fish and crustaceans," the Aqua Nor jury said.

Innovation Award

Nathan Pyne-Carter, executive managing director of Ace Aquatec, won the inaugural Aquaculture Innovation Award, presented by the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) at last year’s Aquaculture UK exhibition in Aviemore.

The other Aqua Nor finalists are OptoScale of Trondheim, which has developed a system for biomass measuring with an accuracy of 99 per cent, and Planktonic, also of Trondheim, which has developed an innovative live feed for marine juveniles. This includes a method for harvesting large amounts of animal plankton in the ocean, which is then cryopreserved.

The plankton is packed in 600g bags containing 30 million plankton individuals, and these are stored in thermos flasks with liquid hydrogen. When this feed is to be used, it is thawed in seawater using a special procedure, and the plankton then becomes "live" again and therefore constitutes a natural feed with the correct nutrition components for juvenile fish.

Record total

The organisers of Aqua Nor, the Nor-Fishing Foundation, said they had received a record total of 28 applications for this year’s award from companies in 14 countries, including Norway. This represents a 64 per cent increase compared to Aqua Nor 2015.

The Nor-Fishing Foundation board of directors will debate the shortlist at a meeting on August 14, and this year’s Innovation Award, consisting of a diploma and a cheque for NOK 100,000 (£9,300), will then be presented to the winner by Norwegian fisheries minister Per Sandberg and chairman of the board Liv Holmefjord during the official opening of Aqua Nor 2017 on Tuesday, August 15.