Norwegian Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) from pilote-scale to a profitable industry

The Norwegian government has set strategic goals for a fivefold increase in seafood production from aquaculture by 2050 [1]. With marine-based bioeconomies on the rise globally, optimization of salmon aquaculture represents one example of ongoing efforts to improve production systems towards complete cycles of energy, water and resources. In this context, integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems have gained renewed attention, as they involve species from different trophic levels and „waste‟ from one species becomes a resource for the other.In Norway, several experimental (pilot and small scale) IMTA systems with salmon and various species of kelp have been established and provide a starting point for investigating the potential benefits and disadvantages of co-culturing seaweed and fish [2]. However, to realistically evaluatethe effects of integrated aquacultureon environmental and economic sustainability in seafood production, test sitesmust progress from pilot-scale to industrial scale. Upscaling will allow researchers and industryto investigate the technical, operational, economic and regulatory aspects of co-production. The industry based research project “Tarelaks” is coordinated by the Norwegian seafood center and the research is led by Møreforsking AS. The aim is toestimate the effects of the integrated aquaculture methodology on fish production in standard operating conditions.The benefits and challenges of IMTA will be evaluated withinthree commercial salmon operations(Sulefisk AS/Hortimare AS, EngesundFiskeoppdrett AS, Osland Havbruk AS)located in Western Norway. The framework of the programme is designed jointly for all three test sites (Furuholmen, Laberget,Bjønnspjotneset, respectively located in Solund,Masfjorden, and Høyanger municipalities). Salmon production ofat least 1600t.yr-1 is plannedat each site, whereas the seaweed cultivation area will be gradually increased from 2 ha to 10 ha after three to five years.The overall concept is designed for a 10yr time frame, with a detailed specific plan for the initial three-year period to reflect the fact that R&D licenses are granted for 3 years at a time, and that several research questions will need to be addressed over the long term. Research questions will be assessed in a spatial context (location specific), and at different time scales (diurnal, seasonal, annual). In the first few years, the research program will monitor: (i) fish production (biomass, environmental parameters, fish health and welfare), and (ii) seaweed production (e.g. species, seasonality, production technology). The first-year outcomes from this research program on the effects of IMTA of seaweed and salmon will be presented. [1] Olafsen, T., U. Winther, Y. Olsen, and J. Skjermo. 2012. Value created from productive oceans in 2050. Report of a working group appointed by the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences (DKNVS) and the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences (NTVA). 83pp. [2] Stévant, P., C. Rebours, and A. Chapman. 2016. Seaweed aquaculture in Norway: recent industrial developments and future perspectives. Aquaculture International. DOI 10.1007/s10499-017-0120-7 Under press. [3] Chapman, A., P. Stévant, J. Schipper, Ø. Kråkås, B. Aspøy, and A. Stavland. 2014. Markedsvurdering for bærekraftig algedyrking i Integrert Multitrofisk Akvakultur (IMTA)-anlegg. Møreforsking report, 33pp.