Scottish salmon farmer Loch Duart plans to introduce a new steel cage system to its production in the northwest of the country this year as it seeks to improve safety, improve fish care and handling, and reduce operational costs.
Using flexible high-density polyethylene pipes, the Trident Hybrid Steel Cage, developed by specialist aquaculture company Poseidon Ocean Systems, was originally engineered for the turbulent waters off the coast of British Columbia (BC).
The contract was secured through Poseidon’s partner company, Trimara Services, a Scotland-based global distributor of aquaculture systems, services and products.
Loch Duart’s Trident cages are currently being constructed and will arrive in Scotland next month. Trimara will be assembling the units in March and April, making them ready for stocking in June.
This will be the first time the new cage system concept has been used in Scotland. It is already being deployed in a large system in Western Canada and in Chile.
“We trust Trimara’s ability to deliver,” Loch Duart Managing Director Mark Warrington said. “We want to be close to our fish and these cages will let us continue with our commitment to providing best-in-class husbandry while improving the working environment for our team.”
Trimara Founding Director Stewart Hawthorn said the company was proud of the trust Loch Duart had placed both in his company and Poseidon
“We can’t wait to see the first of these new concept system cages being worked in Scotland and are looking forward to a successful assembly and on-site installation process,” Hawthorn said.
According to Poseidon, which has a team of 15 engineers and a total workforce of 24, Trident offers a “dramatically improved, innovative steel cage system” – claiming it’s significantly stronger, performs well at high-energy sites, and is easier to maintain.
All aspects of modern farm operations can be integrated into the cage structure, Posiedon said. For instance, farmers can recess feed pipes and other supply lines below the walkway, which eliminates trip hazards and keeps the system tidy.
Photo courtesy of Loch Duart
