INTRODUCTION

Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic animals and plants, has been the world's fastest growing food protein production system for the past decade when compared with the production of terrestrial livestock.

In the case of salmon and trout farming, the world production has more than doubled in the past decade. The establishment of large modern farming operations in Europe, North and South America has been the instrument responsible for this growth. On the basis of the rapid growth, most salmon producers have been utilizing cost efficient production systems with the aim to increase the productivity of their farming operations.

Salmon farming requires the investment of capital equipment, which is deployed on strategic sites in which farming animals are raised at different stages of the production, cycle.

Among the alternatives to increase the productivity of salmon farming operations is the maximization of existing sites and facilities by the establishment of shellfish operations in key strategic locations adjacent to cages utilized for the finfish. This practice is known as Polyculture.

Polyculture is not a new concept in the animal production industry; However, this practice has not been popular among the commercial salmon producers. Raising high priced shellfish species (oysters, mussels and scallops) in conjunction with commercial salmon and trout could provided benefits to commercial farming operations.

Interestingly a good portion of infrastructure for the production, processing, transportation and distribution is already in place at many salmon operations.

The reduction of nutrients while at the same time increasing per hectare yield and profitability with shellfish is a combination of biology, engineering and economics planning. The benefits for salmon operations are therefore very positive.

One of the main constraints of interfacing shellfish and salmon polyculture has been the past focus on biological aspects only. Advanced husbandry practices and equipment that concentrates on integrated profitability though process engineering and controls is an area of specific interest.

Bishop Aquatic Technologies (BAT) has been actively involved in the gathering and development of technical information worldwide mainly in the opportunities for the utilization of polyculture of shellfish and finfish as well as shellfish and shrimp. During this time Bishop Aquatic Technologies have been developing technological packages in husbandry engineering and the related input and output economics that facilitate the successful implementation of shellfish polyculture systems in aquaculture single species operations.

Recognizing the uncertainties and opportunities present in the salmon industry today and in the future, BAT would be pleased to submit a proposal to your group in the undertaking of an intensive, focused effort to investigate the feasibility of the establishment of shellfish culture systems (oysters, mussels and scallops) as a potential viable alternative to increment the productivity of commercial salmon farming operations which could resulted in the improvement of the bottom line in commercial salmon operations.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the proposed study are as follows:

• Provide an overview of polyculture of shellfish-plus salmon including benefits and sensitivities
• Assist in the technical ( husbandry engineering and economics) evaluation of the feasibility of the implementation of shellfish-plus salmon polyculture in salmon commercial growing operations
• Recommend actions needed for the establishment of viable shellfish polyculture applications
• Identify the market sectors for shellfish not currently served that are most attractive for future penetration
• Analyzed the competitive environment for shellfish-plus salmon polyculture applications

This study will be treated essentially as an overview of the technology available its benefits and the marketing issues discussed under the objectives. Bishop Aquatic Technologies intents to draw heavily on its existing data resources and experiences with these subjects and does not anticipate extensive research in the feasibility of shellfish polyculture application to specific salmon commercial operations.

MANAGEMENT, STAFFING AND SCHEDULING

Management and Staffing

A core team from BAT will be assigned to work on the project throughout its duration. Don Bishop, president of BAT will serve as project leader. It is expected that the team members will be drawn from among professionals in the BAT rooster.

It is expected that the project will be implemented in three months starting from the time of the project acceptance. At the conclusion of the project, a final report will be issued with the detail information of critical findings rational and recommendations, incorporating relevant data.