Agreement signed will provide smolt farmers with humane method of culling

Norwegian smolt farmers Sævareid Fiskeanlegg have signed an agreement with technology specialists Ace Aquatec for their first in-water smolt stunner, following on from successful trials carried out last year.

Looking for a solution to cull their fish in a more efficient and sustainable way, this led the company to Ace Aquatec's in-water smolt stunner. The agreement signed will oversee a two-year rental on Ace Aquatec's smaller and more portable stunning. Using this stunning technology ensures all fish are culled and not just stunned, which can happen in the cases of larger fish.

In doing so, Sævareid Fiskeanlegg are able to take culled smolt directly to petfood producers without using chemical anesthesia, which renders them unsuitable for consumption. The stunner provides operators with the ability to process up to one tonne of smolts per hour, which will streamline the company's culling process.

Ace Aquatec's smolt stunner. Image credit: Ace Aquatec

"By incorporating Ace Aquatec's smolt stunner in our day-to-day operations it has allowed our staff to run a more efficient and faster production line," says Sævareid Fiskeanlegg CEO Gustav Folkestad. "Introducing this type of technology opens the door for us to provide higher value on what could be seen as a costly by-product. We're now looking forward to continuing working with Ace through this agreement."

Ace Aquatec's Northern Europe Regional Manager Preben Imset Matre adds, "Following successful trials and ongoing consultation, we're delighted to have reached an agreement with Sævareid Fiskeanlegg. Together we were able to demonstrate that the smolt stunner is a great way of turning cost into profit while also allowing you to process the fish more efficiently. The good dialogue with Sævareid Fiskeanlegg during the pilot has been very valuable and has helped shape the product into what it is today."

In recent news, Ace Aquatec partnered with equipment supplier Fresh by Design as its first distributor in the APAC region. More information on that can be found, HERE.

For more information on Ace Aquatec visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Sævareid Fiskeanlegg visit their website, HERE.