Diversification of Atlantic salmon grow-out technology: An integrated comparison of cage and recirculating systems producing 1,000t a year

Citation

Leclercq E (2011) Diversification of Atlantic salmon grow-out technology: An integrated comparison of cage and recirculating systems producing 1,000t a year. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. https://www.lap-publishing.com/catalog/details/store/gb/book/978-3-8443-2442-6/diversification-of-atlantic-salmon-grow-out-technology

Abstract
The Scottish salmon industry has grown incredibly in the last decade to produce over 145,000 t in 2002. This on-going success relies largely on the relative ease of cage farming in sheltered sea water bodies. Despite continuous improvements at all level of the farming technology, increasing awareness of environmental interactions by legislative bodies and consumers alike warrant the need to diversify the production systems if the sector's growth is to be maintained. This study compares two alternative farming systems scaled to produce 1,000 t/year of harvest-size Atlantic salmon: a cage-system located within an exposed marine site and a land-based recirculating system. Despite its high capital cost, the land-based recirculating system has the potential to be more competitive if obtaining a premium on sale price above 15% which seems feasible. This comparative study includes a financial, environmental, risk and sensitivity analysis providing an integrated perspective into the salmon farming industry. This work is expected to be welcomed by developers, investors and legislators and by anyone searching for a bird's eye view on the Atlantic salmon farming sector.

Keywords
Atlantic salmon; RAS; grow out technology; performance; economic assessment; sensitivity