Mowi’s vessel, Aqua Tromøy, delivers freshwater baths that aid fish welfare in Canada

Freshwater baths continue to provide environmentally friendly fish health treatments to salmon raised at Mowi Canada West (MCW) farms, with recent treatments occurring at locations in the north east region of Vancouver Island. Freshwater is a gentle, non-chemical and effective sea lice management tool that improves fish welfare and ensures sea lice on the company’s farms are maintained at very low levels

Added to Mowi’s fleet in 2019, the 77 metre-long Aqua Tromøy is equipped with a reverse osmosis system (also known as desalination) that creates freshwater from seawater in preparation for bathing salmon to effectively remove marine parasites (e.g. naturally occurring sea lice) and to improve gill health. All water discharged from the vessel has been filtered to remove particulates including individual sea lice.

Gerry Burry, Treatment Manager at MCW, explains further: “Freshwater is a gentle, non-chemical and effective sea lice management tool that improves fish welfare and ensures sea lice on our farms are maintained at very low levels.”

3,000 cubic meters of fresh water in 12 hours

The reverse osmosis system can produce 3,000 cubic meters of fresh water in approximately 12 hours. Further explaining the process, Gerry adds: “During the process of creating fresh water from sea water, the vessel is required to maintain its position in a safe protected area away from current and weather for stability reasons. The seawater being used to create the freshwater would need to have minimal organics and suspended solids for the most efficient use of the reverse osmosis system. It is normal practice for the vessel to find clean water in a protected area where they are not a hazard to navigation and less impacted by current and tide.”

There is no designated zone for reverse osmosis activity, and depending on the sea site location weather conditions and current the location may change day to day.

Mowi Canada East appoints Managing Director

In the other hand, Mowi Canada East has announced the appointment of Gideon Pringle as Managing Director. Educated at the University of Aberdeen with a Degree in Marine & Fisheries and Biology and Ph.D. in Atlantic salmon genetics, Gideon brings with him 37 years of practical salmon aquaculture experience in various departments including breeding, broodstock, freshwater and seawater development, and fish health.

Speaking of his appointment, Gideon says: “Both Canada East and Scotland share the North Atlantic Ocean and, not surprisingly, also share many of the same farming challenges. During my time in the aquaculture sector, I have come to realize that there is no single formula about how to farm salmon – they can be farmed in many different ways, equally successful. The key is to be knowledgeable, adaptable and most important have the best team of people. I am very happy to rejoin Mowi and be a part of this very motivated team that will lead Canada East to realize its full potential.”

Ben Hadfield, COO for Mowi’s Scotland, Ireland, Faroese and Canada East farming regions, is pleased to see the close cooperation and learning between regions, stating: “We have a strong team in Canada East, and we also have the added advantage at Mowi to augment and support our operations with experienced salmon farmers. I believe we now have established the best possible team that will work hard and smart, safely and at pace to realize the success we know is possible in Canada East and specifically the southern coast of Newfoundland.”

Acknowledging the historical challenges in the region, Ben adds: “Atlantic Canada’s extreme coastal water temperatures are a challenge to fish for sure, but these temperatures and such vast geography also create real opportunity for our company, our employees, and the communities in which salmon farming is a valued and integral part of society.”

The internal appointment of Kristina White as Interim Managing Director (announced July 8) supports the company’s directive to develop the strongest possible operational team. Kristina is an adept administrator and a strong leader within the Canada East Management Team, and is well respected by her Mowi colleagues.

Also joining the Canadian team is Kris Laird as Seawater Production Director. Kris moved from Mowi’s operations in The Western Isles (Scotland) to Canada in January, and is working closely with local area managers in New Brunswick and Newfoundland: Allene Barrett, Harvey Jensen and Murray Bungay.

Gideon Pringle was announced as Managing Director for Canada East during a company-wide meeting with all staff held recently and will move to Canada immediately following receipt of required Canadian work permits.