Bluegreen reports promising results from Marine Donut’s first full-scale test.
Bluegreen, the developer of the innovative Marine Donut closed salmon farming system, has announced promising results from its first full-scale trial. Conducted with 195,000 salmon, the test achieved a remarkably low mortality rate of just 0.8%.
The trial, which spanned 101 days, represents a significant milestone for the Marine Donut, a technology designed to improve sustainability and efficiency in aquaculture.
The Marine Donut, a floating flow-through facility constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), is part of a project under a development permit from Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries. The permit requires comprehensive testing and documentation of both technical and biological performance. Delivered to SalMar in late 2023, the facility is now operational at Seterneset near Molde, Norway, and aims to demonstrate its potential as an alternative to traditional net-pen farming.
During the trial, salmon with an average weight of three kilograms were placed in the system. After 101 days, the facility was emptied, yielding approximately 1,000 tonnes of fish, all sent to slaughter. Bluegreen highlighted several key achievements, including no escapes, no lice treatments, and no use of medication during the test period. The feed conversion ratio aligned with traditional cage systems, and further optimization is planned for future trials.
The harvesting process, which involved raising and tilting the facility for fish transfer, was designed to minimize stress and ensure optimal conditions for the fish. “Successfully delivering approximately 1,000 tonnes of fish for the first time was a significant milestone,” said Geir Andresen, project manager at Bluegreen. “The process went smoothly and ensured the fish’s welfare throughout.”
Andresen added that the trial provided valuable insights into water quality, technical performance, and fish health, offering a clear indication of the Marine Donut’s potential to improve both efficiency and sustainability in the aquaculture industry. A detailed report on the trial’s findings will be submitted to the Directorate of Fisheries in early 2025.
Bluegreen’s Marine Donut is designed with scalability in mind, featuring a 22,000 cubic meter tank and integrated water flow systems to support larger production volumes while reducing environmental impact. The company is now preparing for a second full-scale trial, which will focus on optimizing feed conversion and refining operational processes.
SalMar, one of Norway’s leading salmon farming companies, has partnered with Bluegreen to deploy the Marine Donut. The collaboration underscores the industry’s growing interest in innovative solutions to tackle challenges in fish welfare and sustainability.
