Calanus develops new zooplankton harvesting technology

Published: 9-Dec-2019

New technology development has created a new approach to sustainable harvesting of Calanus finmarchicus in regions with low abundance of fish larvae and juveniles

Calanus has developed a zooplankton harvesting technology. Scale model trials of system components were conducted in a flume tank in Denmark to test and evaluate design prototypes, measure hydrodynamics forces and recommend future modifications. Data and results are currently being analysed.

This technology development signifies a new approach towards sustainable and eco-friendly harvesting of Calanus finmarchicus, in regions with low abundance of fish larvae and juveniles. Calanus Oil (from copepods) are an up and coming nutraceutical ingredient approved by the Canadian government as a health ingredient in January 2019. The ingredient is known for containing omega-3 (EPA and DHA) and astaxanthin.

Harvesting of Calanus finmarchicus in oceanic waters gained momentum after the Norwegian Government's decision in 2019 to open up for commercial harvesting. A total annual quota of 254,000 tonnes was allocated, where 3,000 tonnes were made available to coastal waters.

Harvesting zooplankton in oceanic waters is fundamentally different to coastal regions due to a more homogenous dispersion and a lower average concentration of biomass

The decision by Norway heralds a disruptive shift in zooplankton harvesting technology. Harvesting zooplankton in oceanic waters is fundamentally different compared to coastal regions due to a more homogenous dispersion and a lower average concentration of biomass. The challenge is how to aggregate sufficient biomass in the surface before it is collected by a plankton trawl.

Harvesting technology

In 2018, Calanus and a consortium of industrial and scientific partners initiated the R&D project OASIS2 . The core objective of this project was to develop a new generation zooplankton trawls, along with integrated continuous onboard pumping of biomass and bycatch mitigation devices. The technology shift is focused on the aeration of the water column in front of the trawl, elevating zooplankton biomass to the surface. Compressed air and aeration at depth will induce a local, artificial upwelling zone, elevating biomass from 40–50m up to the surface, where it is further scooped up by a shallow and wide trawl.

This industrial R&D project is partially funded by the Norwegian Research Council through the MAROFF-2 program, and the complete, integrated system will be sold by NOFI AS.

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