Ref:675/03

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems:
Planning and Managing for a Sustainable Future

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems:
Planning and Managing for a Sustainable Future
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June, 2003
Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus
http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/STI/SAS

Download Registration Form

Workshop Sponsors:

Deakin University
FarmBis
STI/SAS
MAFRI
Fisheries Victoria

Main Presenter 
Dr. Thomas M. Losordo
Professor, North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC USA

Additional speakers
Fiona Gavine (MAFRI)
Anthony Forster (Fisheries Victoria)

About the workshop:

Recirculating aquaculture technology, systems that recondition and reuse water, is the latest sector in aquaculture to have attracted attention and considerable venture capital. The aim of this workshop is to provide fundamental information to established and prospective fish growers on the planning and management of recirculating aquaculture systems for the production of Australian native fish. Together with a series of lectures given by a world renowned researcher, this workshop will give the opportunity to experience first hand the running of a commercial recirculating system. The workshop, which is primarily sponsored by Deakin University, is part of a bigger project whose aims are to develop a world class, high technology aquaculture research facility that focuses on the development of technologies for culturing Australian native fish using recirculation technologies.

About the main presenter:
Dr. Thomas Losordo has been an adjunct member of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering since his arrival at North Carolina State University in September 1988. In July, 2002 Dr. Losordo became a Professor in BAE.  Dr. Losordo has a Bachelors Degree of Science in Biology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and holds degrees in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Hawaii (MS 1980) and the University of California at Davis (PhD. 1988). Involved in aquaculture for more than 25 years, Dr. Losordo currently heads a program of applied research and extension in the area of recirculating aquaculture production systems known as the North Carolina Fish Barn.

Dr. Losordo has recently served as the President of the World Aquaculture Society (2000-2001) and was previously President of the Aquacultural Engineering Society (1999-2000). Dr. Losordo currently serves as co-chair of the North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference committee.

About the NC State Fish Barn Project
Known as the North Carolina State University Fish Barn program and in its 13th year of development, this program develops, evaluates and demonstrates new technology for intensive fish farming at the commercial scale.  The program is currently centred around a commercial scale recirculating production system located on the campus of NC State University. While focusing on tilapia, the Fish Barn program has investigated the production of rainbow trout, hybrid striped bass, yellow perch, flounder, ornamental gold fish and koi carp in recirculating aquaculture systems.  The technology developed at the North Carolina State University Fish Barn has been used at the experimental scale for the culture of marine species.  A project ongoing at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington cultures Summer Flounder while an ongoing project by the NSW Fisheries Aquaculture Division in Port Stephens Australia cultures Snapper.

Senior Scientist Fiona Gavine from MAFRI and Manager Aquaculture Anthony Forster from Fisheries Victoria will also contribute to the workshop addressing the following segments:  

1. Integrated Agri-Aquaculture Systems (IAAS) presented by Fiona Gavine

2. Update on Best Practice Management Guidelines (BPMG) presented by Fiona Gavine

3. Regulatory planning for RAS in Victoria presented by Anthony Forster

Program details:

Saturday, 14 June

8:30 – 9:00        Registration in G101 (Percy Baxter Theatre) foyer.
See attached campus map

Morning Session

9:00 am        Welcome and Introduction to the Deakin University
                    Aquaculture Program. 
Dr. John Sherwood, Venture Manager   

9:15 am        Critical Considerations in Recirculating Systems
Recirculating aquaculture technology has been used for many purposes in aquaculture. Before we explore the finer details of this technology, we will spend some time clarifying terminology, and looking at important water quality parameters and the primary forces that cause changes to water quality in recirculating production systems. 

10:15 am           Management of Tank Hydraulics and Settleable Solids
                         Removal
More than any other single variable, the accumulation of organic solid waste on the bottom of tanks, within pipes or other components within the system can negatively impact water quality and fish production.  Here we will look closely at the hydraulic forces that cause rectangular and circular tanks to self-clean.

10:30 am           Morning tea break in G101 (Percy Baxter Theatre) foyer

10:45 am           Management of Settleable Solids Removal Continued

11:15 am           Management of Suspended Solids Removal and
                         Biofiltration Components
In order to maintain high fish growth rates, good quality water must be maintained during periods of high feed rates.  Suspended solids, ammonia-nitrogen and nitrite-nitrogen can build up within the system.  All three can limit fish growth.  In this presentation we will review the most common components used is suspended solids removal and biofiltration.

12:00 noon        Lunch - finger food in G101 (Percy Baxter Theatre) foyer

Afternoon Session

1:00 pm            Fiona Gavine, Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute,
                        Victorian Fisheries
Update on the Integrated Agri -  Aquaculture Systems program.

1:30 pm            Fine and Dissolved Solids Removal and Oxygenation
                        Components  
As systems become more closed (less water exchanged) fine and dissolved organic solids, not removed with conventional components can build up within the culture system.  Here we will review the principles of foam fractionation to counter this build up. In addition we will review aeration, oxygenation, and carbon dioxide removal processes and components.

2:00 pm            System Operation and Management
The development of an appropriately designed recirculating aquaculture production system is a good starting point.  Once started up however, the system requires proper management and maintenance.  We will review daily, weekly and monthly routines that are important to a successful operation.

3:00 pm            Afternoon tea break in G101 (Percy Baxter Theatre) foyer

3:30 pm            Fish Moving and Grading Technology
To reduce aggressive behaviour between fish, many aquaculture species require routine grading due to uneven growth within the population.  Moving fish and grading them can be stressful on the fish and operator, leading to disease and even unacceptable mortality rates.  Here we will review some traditional and not so traditional fish moving and grading equipment and management options. 

4:00 pm            Application of Ozone and UV Filters in Aquaculture
Aquatic organisms grown at high densities are susceptible to stress and associated disease outbreaks.  Ozone and ultraviolet light are often used to provide for pathogen control within the system.  In this presentation we will explore the advantages and dangers of these sterilization technologies.

4:30 pm            Heating, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Recirculating production systems are often touted as being able to raise fish independent of the local climate.  All too often however, the heating system is poorly thought out leading to excessive energy bills or a climate that is miserable for the operator to work in (a drippy, humid room).  In this presentation we will look at the basics of developing a heat balance for a building and system as well as some up to date options for water and space conditioning.

5:00 pm            Monitoring, Alarming & Emergency Systems
When systems fail, time is of the essence when fish are cultured at high-density.  However, monitoring systems can be expensive to purchase and maintain.  Here we will look at critical parameters and points within the system to be monitored, and review some cost-effective technology to do so. Back up systems and management procedures will also be described

5:30 pm            Optional tour of STI installation
Adjourn to optional tour of STI installation at Warrnambool Trout Farm, a new 20 tonne recirculating system.

Sunday, 15 June

Morning Session

9:00  am           Fiona Gavine, Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute,
                         Victorian Fisheries
Update on, Best Practice Management Guidelines for RAS.

9:15 am            Building Recirculating Systems
Proper consideration of many details of constructing a recirculating production system can make operations and maintenance of the system much easier and more cost effective.  Correct placement of pipes, types of valves and fittings, and the use of effective vapour barriers can all improve the operational efficiency of the system.

10:00 am           Pumps, Pipe Networks and Drainage 
Selecting the proper pipe size in pressurized water deliver or un-pressurized water drainage systems is critical to the proper operation of tank-based systems.  In this presentation we will discuss the various forms of energy loss in pipe networks and see how they relate to pump selection and sizing. 

10:30 am           Morning tea break in G101 (Percy Baxter Theatre) foyer

11:00 am           Mass Balance Analysis as a Design Tool
All too often, recirculating systems have been designed based on trial and error.  By using a simple engineering method of analysis referred to as Mass Balance Analysis, we can closely estimate the flow requirements and size of various components within a recirculating system.

11:45 am          Anthony Forster, Aquaculture Manager, Victoria Fisheries
Update on planning issues to do with RAS developments in Victoria.

12:00 noon        Lunch finger food in G101
                         (Percy Baxter Theatre) foyer       

Afternoon Session

1:00 pm            Designing Recirculating Systems Continued
There are some important considerations and steps that need to be taken when designing recirculating aquaculture system.  This presentation will review these considerations and provide some “rules of thumb” to get you started.

2:00 pm            Waste Treatment and Disposal
In and of themselves, recirculating systems are no more environmentally friendly than a flow-through system.  Fish produce waste and recirculating systems concentrate these wastes into a smaller flow stream that is generally more easily treated than large dilute flows.  Waste treatment must be built into the system to minimize the impact of nitrogen, phosphorus and oxygen demanding compounds that can be found in backwash or tank exchange water.  This presentation will look at typical characteristics of recirculating systems waste and various treatment options.

2:30 pm            Recirculating Systems Layouts
There are numerous examples worldwide of successful and not so successful recirculating aquaculture production systems.  In this presentation we will review various systems and see how some of the components and technologies that we have reviewed in this short course have been used in the field. 

3:15 pm            Afternoon tea break in G101 (Percy Baxter Theatre) foyer

3:45 pm            Economic Considerations & Business Management
There is a fine balance between a system being inexpensive but not able to meet its production goals and being too expensive to purchase and operate while producing fish on schedule.  Developing some level of economic model for these systems is essential before investing large sums of money.  Here we will investigate a range of simple and more complex methods of evaluation. 

4:30 pm            Questions and Wrap Up

5:00 pm            End Workshop

Optional Add On’s are Local Permitting Issues and Local Vet discussing disease prevention and diagnostic services.

Accommodation:
Attendees will be responsible for making their own accommodation bookings. A wide variety of accommodation is available in Warrnambool. Upon registration a packet of information containing accommodation options, maps and regional tourist attractions will be forwarded to you. Please note that attendees seeking a FarmBis Victoria rebate on the workshop registration fee may also be separately eligible for additional rebates from FarmBis (refers late).

Meals:
A light lunch, morning and afternoon tea will be provided on both days. All included in the workshop fee.

Transport:
Deakin University campus is located approximately 6 Km east of Warrnambool cental business district. Attendees will be responsible for their own transport to and from the campus and also to and from the Warrnambool Trout Farm in North Warrnambool on Saturday afternoon if they wish to participate in the site tour of one of the consortium facilities.

FarmBis rebate:
The workshop is registered with FarmBis. Eligible participants will receive a 75% rebate on the registration fee.

Contact Mrs Emma Rudge, FarmBis coordinator, Dept. Primary Industry (03) 5522 3469; 0429 964793 for information on how to register your business with FarmBis.