Nanobubbles are new to aquaculture but show promise as a means of reducing cost and greenhouse emissions, while improving fish welfare.
The webinar, which featured Jan Eric Haagensen, a nanobubble expert from Moleaer, showcased results from case studies where nanobubble technology was implemented in commercial aquaculture operations in different parts of the world.
The discussion highlighted details of customer success stories, including how a leading salmon producer in Norway reduced both its energy consumption and oxygen consumption on a delousing vessel by over 60 percent. It also revealed how a flow-through salmon hatchery in Chile reduced costs by 40 percent, while simultaneously increasing feed conversion efficiency.
The recording is especially relevant for fish farmers, aquaculture managers, operation managers, aquaculture service providers and large aquaculture companies.
Haagensen, who is Molear’s senior director in Scandinavia, discusses practical applications of nanobubble technology in aquaculture, specific benefits for fish growers, and different types of equipment available with The Fish Site's managing director, Moritz Mueller.
What makes nanobubbles so special?
Nanobubbles are 2,500 smaller than a grain of salt, or around 100 nanometers. Because of this, they have unique physical and chemical properties. They stay submerged in the water for weeks, releasing oxygen slowly and more efficiently than any other method – up to 85 percent, as confirmed by researchers at UCLA – improving fish welfare and increasing feed conversation ratios. Additionally, the benefits of Moleaer nanobubble technology go beyond efficiently increasing dissolved oxygen levels. Thanks to their electrochemically charged surface, they attach themselves and degrade organic contaminants, allowing fish farmers to reduce chemicals and antibiotics, and can be used to remediate the seabed under fish farming sites.
They can be applied in wellboats, and land-based aquaculture systems; for sea lice treatments, net pen oxygenation and seabed remediation.
“There are currently around 2,500 Moleaer nanobubble generators installed in different sectors, many in aquaculture. The feedback has been really positive, and we’ve had many customers that have decided to add additional units for different applications. We have done trials with customers comparing treatments with and without nanobubbles, showing a significant difference in the efficiency in reducing costs and improving fish welfare,” notes Haagensen.
