Aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, algae, and other organisms in all types of water environments.

As the demand for seafood has increased, technology has made it possible to grow food in coastal marine waters and the open ocean. Aquaculture is a method used to produce food and other commercial products, restore habitat and replenish wild stocks, and rebuild populations of threatened and endangered species.

There are two main types of aquaculture—marine and freshwater.

In the United States, marine aquaculture produces numerous species including oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, seaweeds, and fish such as salmon, black sea bass, sablefish, yellowtail, and pompano. There are many ways to farm marine shellfish, including “seeding” small shellfish on the seafloor or by growing them in bottom or floating cages. Marine fish farming is typically done in net pens in the water or in tanks on land.

U.S. freshwater aquaculture produces species such as catfish and trout. Freshwater aquaculture primarily takes place in ponds or other manmade systems.

Oxygenation in Aquaculture

Increasing productivity and general health in fish & seafood farming with oxygen

To meet rising demand for seafood worldwide, more and more fish have to be raised in fish farms. Aquaculture is an essential link in the agricultural chain as it protects the oceans from further over-fishing and produces healthy food with extremely high feed conversion efficiency.

As fish absorb oxygen through direct contact with water, dissolved oxygen is the most important factor in achieving good results in fish farming.

The current trend in intensive culture systems is to aim for a high stocking density at low water consumption per kilogram of biomass. This cannot be achieved without oxygen. Through oxygenation of the water, fish and seafood farmers can protect their stock against oxygen deficiencies during peak consumption and growth periods.

Adequate oxygen levels in the water at all times not only ensure growth, they also promote the health, appetite and general well-being of the fish. Oxygen also helps to reduce the effects of temperature-induced stress in fish.

Application Expertise

Properly applied, oxygenation will reduce risk factors and increase profitability, but improper usage can easily backfire. Ultimately, oxygen is not a substitute for water – too much oxygen can be harmful. The proper oxygen dosing technology allows you to smoothly increase stock density, ensuring an optimal feed conversion ratio and the highest possible survival rates under optimum breeding conditions.

That is where we can help. We deliver both oxygen and oxygenation equipment, which has been carefully and continuously optimised in close collaboration with our customers. But perhaps our most important asset is the vast experience in aquaculture we have amassed over the years. Our international network of fish-farming experts have a thorough understanding of the cause/effect relationship across all aspects of fish farming. Our all-in solutions combine regular supply with emergency backup.

Pioneering R&D Centre

In close collaboration with customers and research institutes, we have developed a number of ground-breaking technologies, many of which are tested at our own international aquaculture R&D centre in Norway.

Using our laboratory and demo models, we continuously develop and improve products and processes for both freshwater and saltwater plants at our R&D centre, focusing in particular on:

Recirculation-based water systems 

Water heating systems for easy control of test-water temperature

Aeration systems to reduce oxygen saturation

Transparent water pipes for in-depth process insights.