Canadian Pond.ca Products Ltd. officially launches its SalmoAir® diffuser for Aquaculture

Lac-Brome, April 27, 2024 – In 2017 Cermaq, a world leading salmon farming company, contacted Canadian Pond.ca Products Ltd. (CPP) to test a new concept using their bubble curtains, or bubble walls, at depth of 25 meters (82 ft) to deflect tidal movement carrying toxic plankton in seasonal warmer water around the periphery of a salmon farm. CPP, as the developper of the Bubble Tubing® technology, has acquired expertise in the domain of bubble curtains and aeration in multiple markets such as mining, energy, construction and aquaculture. The goal of the initiative was to deliver a system that created an effective bubble wall barrier, effectively eliminating the potential movement of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) from entering the cage array. Cermaq’s earlier designs of such equipment were primitive, consisting of pipe with drilled holes; these required too much energy for the little protection they provided. The deployment depth of this equipment was also limited to 15 meters (49 ft). CPP’s original Bubble Tubing® offered the potential of addressing these challenges. By requiring internal pressure build up, the Bubble Tubing® efficiently aerated deep water at a fraction of the operational costs, with no loss of pressure or water intrusion as found with drilled pipe, along the entire perimeter of each farm.

Subsequently, many of Cermaq’s fish farms were equipped with CPP Bubble Tubing®, and to this day those original bubble curtains are still in use and are considered an effective tool in protecting the biomass from the potential exposure of HABs that often occur in the areas surrounding Cermaq farms. This advancement in technology and methodology from Canada was adopted abroad in countries such as Norway and Chile. However, within the salmon cages themselves there was another challenge, and another story unfolding.

Could this be done more efficiently, for example with more air lift and less fuel cost?

Salmon pen aeration targets one main objective, which is upwelling or transporting cooler, well oxygenated water from the depth up to the surface.  Most salmon farms on the British Columbian coast rely on diesel compressors to provide the air pressure and flow needed to upwell. The energy and carbon cost to operate these upwellers was becoming a significant focus area, begging the question, “Could this be done more efficiently, for example with more air lift and less fuel cost?”.  After listening closely to Cermaq’s farm managers and Brock Thomson, Innovation Director at Cermaq Canada, it became clear to CPP that little, if any, innovation had occurred in fish farming pen aeration for more than a decade.

Rising to the challenge, Canadianpond.ca Products Ltd. decided to develop a new prototype which was then field tested in 2018. Again, using the highly efficient Bubble Tubing®, the decision was made to integrate it into a new platform designed specifically for salmon fish farms. The newest and most innovative diffuser for fish farm was born, the unique SalmoAir®. Field testing demonstrated its advantages, and since 2020 Cermaq adopted SalmoAir® as their main diffuser to upwell a maximum of water, while reducing operational energy demand and costs. By design, the SalmoAir® diffuser simplifies the daily operation for workers while preventing salmon injuries. It is also much more durable than competitive products, especially in these rugged environments.

Cermaq adopted SalmoAir® as their main diffuser to upwell a maximum of water, while reducing operational energy demand and costs

In operation for more than four years now, here is what Cermaq’s Brock Thomson Innovation Director has to say about the use of SalmoAir®:

Q: Has the SalmoAir® diffusers been beneficial for salmon at Cermaq?
R: Salmon welfare and the welfare of the surrounding ecosystem are of utmost importance at Cermaq. We farm live animals, and we take great pride ensuring they are given optimal care. Our team has observed that the SalmoAir® diffusers produce an impressive lift rate at lower air flow rates in comparison to other options that we have tested at a commercial scale. Having strong upwelling water circulation in our cages improves the conditions the fish are reared in, improving the overall welfare status of the population. The added benefits are the design features on the diffusers that limit the potential for wounds from fish inadvertently contacting the diffuser.  
Brock Thomson   

Q: Is there a gain in energy saving, fuel consumption and carbon footprint when using Canadianpond.ca Products Ltd.’s equipment?
R:  Cermaq Canada is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their operations worldwide. Our commitments to the United Nations Science Based Targets outlines our aspirations for meaningful reduction in our footprint by 2030. These commitments require the organization to be mindful of impact when adopting or participating in the design of new technology. The opportunity then to work on the development of a product that addressed energy efficiency, coupled with more certainty around our upwelling needs, was extremely attractive. The SalmoAir® has assisted us in optimizing our upwelling systems by providing more efficient upwelling without increasing our fuel needs. This combination of in-water technology efficiency coupled with a new generation of compressor available in the market has delivered on meaningful savings in fuel and associated carbon emissions. 
Brock Thomson   

Q: What guides Cermaq in adopting new aeration equipment like SalmoAir®?
R: We are always looking for solutions and innovations that will reduce cost, optimize animal welfare, reduce impact to the surrounding ecosystem, address the concerns of our indigenous partners and ultimately generate sustainable profit for the business. Having the SalmoAir® has clearly helped us create value which is in line with our mission.    
Brock Thomson   

Q: What prompted Cermaq to share its innovation success?
R: One of our core values is long term perspective and we are known to share information pro-actively. The adoption of the SalmoAir® diffuser has been extremely well received by workers and managers of fish farms to the point where it is now our first-choice upwelling diffuser. Cermaq also thinks that it’s important to show transparency to our stakeholders who may not see what is happening on those remote farms.    
Brock Thomson   

If you would like more information about this diffuser or our solutions for Aquaculture, please contact our team : Contact- Us