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.
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