Aquaculture for all

Raising Temperatures and Local Bass

UK - Technology which uses the movement of fish to heat the water is being used at a fish farm on Anglesey.

The Greek-owned Bluewater Flatfish Farm, near Beaumaris, produces sea bass. It hopes the new technology - which raises water to mediterranean temperature - will boost productivity to 1,000 tonnes a year. Selonda, the company which owns the farm already has an established turbot fishery on the same site. It is believed to be one of the largest bass farms in the world.

Dual Process

Two processes are used to heat the tanks housing the fish. One was the recycling of water from the tanks - where it was cleaned and any heat retained - and the other a biological process which converted ammonia produced by the fish into heat.

Initially it takes several weeks to increase the temperature, but once up it will eventually be a constant 20-22 degrees C in the tanks.

Speaking to BBC Wales Managing director Phil Gatland said the new (sea bass) farm has much bigger tanks than the turbot fishery.

Fifteen people are currently employed at the farm, but that should rise to 30 when full production is reached.

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