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Fish Farming

Vacuum is used in nearly every step of the fish farming process. From roe to pre-packaged fillet.

The role of vacuum in fish farming

Farmed fish are accompanied by vacuum during their entire life cycle. From sorting the eggs and smolt in the hatchery to packaging the prepared fish, vacuum and overpressure play a crucial role.
Vacuum and overpressure enable fish transport, waste removal, aeration, and packaging in fish farming.


Overpressure is used to aerate breeding tanks and extract foam, while vacuum gently transports live fish and suctions out by-products as well as waste. And, at the end of the life cycle, the most common use of vacuum in fish farming is in the packaging of fresh fish.

For all areas of fish farming, from hatching to processing and packaging, we offer the right vacuum or overpressure technology.
Busch has supported us perfectly in upgrading the vacuum supply of our fish farms.
Dagfinn Vik, Technical Manager at Inka AS

VACUUM IN FISH FARMING PROCESSES

In aquaculture, fish such as trout and tilapia are raised in land-based tanks or ponds, while species like salmon are cultivated in open-water cages. Wherever the fish are raised, there are many common vacuum and overpressure applications to ensure their continued health. However, certain requirements and processes differ between on- and off-shore farming methods.
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Fish hatchery

In fish hatcheries, the survival of the eggs and the subsequently newly hatched fish is crucial for productive operations. Vacuum and overpressure technology play a vital role in maintaining a clean and safe environment.

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Foam extraction

As a result of proteins and other organic waste in the water, foam can form in hatcheries and can be detrimental to the health of the fish if not managed properly. Foam extraction using overpressure therefore plays a key role in maintaining water quality. By spraying water at high pressure over the surface of the tank, unwanted foam can be removed: As the spray droplets hit the individual bubbles, this breaks the bubbles up and therefore removes the foam.

Sorting of fish and fry

After hatching, the size of the salmon fry is constantly monitored. It is important that the fish grow at approximately the same rate. Otherwise, larger fish will grow stronger and more dominant while smaller ones have difficulties to survive. To avoid this imbalance, the fish are sorted at regular intervals. Vacuum allows the live fish to be moved gently from one tank to another via suction conveying.

Removal of dead fish

Dead fish, which can spread disease and contaminate the water, are swiftly and gently removed to ensure the health of the surviving hatchlings. Dead fish sink naturally to the bottom of the cages. From there, they are scooped up and placed in a funnel next to the cage. This funnel is opened with a valve and the dead fish are suctioned out with vacuum. This dead fish removal system is one of our most popular standard vacuum systems.

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Fish farming / Aquaculture

Once the hatchlings have grown to a certain size, they can be moved into the main tanks or cages. This is where they then live until they have grown to the appropriate weight for further processing.

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Pneumatic transportation of live fish

As in the hatcheries, the fish need to be sorted to ensure that they grow evenly. Pneumatic overpressure conveying allows live fish to be sorted and moved gently between tanks without physical stress, promoting uniform growth and minimizing injury. A blower or compressor pushes the air and the fish through a sealed pipeline, creating a form of bridge from one tank to another. The fish passes safely and rapidly through the tube and into the next tank.

Aeration

For fish that are kept in tanks rather than in the sea, effective aeration is essential for their health and growth. While the oxygen content in the open sea is constantly being refreshed, a tank will eventually run out. As a result, overpressure systems are used for ventilation, providing a constant flow of oxygen that is critical for fish survival.

Cleaning tanks and filters

Overpressure systems are also an integral part of the cleaning process of the tanks. By introducing air at high pressure, debris and waste can be dislodged and removed, ensuring a clean habitat for the fish.

Pneumatic feed supply

For fish living in cages out in open water, special feed barges are used to distribute feed. Feed is drawn from an internal silo, and high-pressure air provided by blowers push the fish feed through feed lines and into the cages.

Fish meal impregnation

The ocean is not just one habitat: at different depths, there are entirely different landscapes and conditions for the fish that live there. While fish that live in tanks or in fish farms do not have these same conditions, they will still move into the respective area of the tank or cage that corresponds to the depth at which they would live in the open ocean. This must therefore be taken into account during the manufacture of fish meal so that the correct nutrition reaches the correct depth.

Vacuum is used for fish meal impregnation. By impregnating the food to give it different buoyancies, the food will float at different depths so that it reaches the correct fish. Vacuum helps draw the additives evenly into the pores and crevasses of the fish meal, giving a uniform and repeatable result.

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Fish processing

When the fish have reached the correct size and weight, they are harvested, prepared and packaged, so that their meat can be safely transported to consumers.

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Extraction of slaughter waste

In fish processing, vacuum is used to suction out intestines and remove off-cuts, ensuring that the processing area remains clean and compliant with health regulations. These by-products are reused, for example, to produce fish oil and fish food. The remaining waste is then transported out of the facilities by means of pneumatic conveying.

Retaining vacuum for filleting

Once all waste and by-products are removed, it is time for filleting. In this process step, fish is placed on the filleting table, where vacuum is often used to securely hold the fish in place. The vacuum prevents any movement that could affect the precision of the cuts. This method improves the efficiency and consistency of the filleting process. Afterwards, the filleted fish is transported to be vacuum packaged.

Pneumatic conveying of ice

In order to maintain the quality and freshness of the fish while it is being processed, it is important to keep it cool. Ice is therefore transported via pneumatic conveying systems to the processing stages, where it is used to keep the fish at a low temperature.

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Packaging

After processing, fish are packaged to be shipped to markets or retailers. There are a variety of different packaging methods that are used, all of which require vacuum. The fish may be vacuum packaged, whereby all air is removed from the packaging. Modified atmosphere packaging is also an option, where the air is first removed, then a special protective gas mixture is pumped in. Alternatively, packaging can be thermoformed, and the fish placed in the resulting shaped plastic.

In all cases, the removal of the air from the plastic helps preserve the freshness and extend the shelf life of the fish. This step is crucial for delivering high-quality products to consumers while maintaining their integrity and flavor.

Once the fish is in the plastic packaging, it is often placed inside a cardboard container. In many cases, this too is created with the help of vacuum: The cardboard boxes are lifted and assembled with suction cups.

Finally, vacuum is also used to lift, move and palletize the resulting boxes.

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OUR SOLUTIONS FOR FISH FARMING PROCESSES

Experienced Busch specialists work closely together with you to design vacuum and overpressure systems that are tailored to meet your specific requirements. Our range covers everything from simple ventilation of breeding tanks to complex supply units for an entire fish processing plant or recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
 
TYR
(overpressure)
TYR
(vacuum)
MINK
(overpressure)
MINK
(vacuum)
SAMOS
(side channel blower)
DOLPHIN
(vacuum)
R5
(vacuum)
SECO
(vacuum)
Foam extraction in hatcheries
 
 
 
 
 
Sorting of fish eggs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aeration of breeding tanks
 
 
 
 
Pneumatic transportation of live fish
 
 
 
 
 
Air input for cleaning breeding tanks and filters
 
 
 
 
Pneumatic feed supply
 
 
 
 
 
Fish meal impregnation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extraction of slaughter waste
(✓)
(✓)
 
 
 
 
Retaining vacuum for filleting
 
 
 
Pneumatic suction conveying of ice for cooling
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vacuum packaging
 
 
 
 
 
 
Modified atmosphere packaging
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thermoforming
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carton packaging
 
 
 
 
 
(✓)
Handling/Palletizing
 
 
 
 
 
(✓)

(✓) = possible use

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Customized vacuum systems

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