ICELAND – Innovasea, a leader in aquaculture technology, is expanding its land-based aquaculture operations to Iceland, further solidifying its global presence.
Innovasea is introducing its advanced gas management towers (GMT) to the country’s aquaculture sector in collaboration with Thor Salmon, an Icelandic producer of land-based salmon.
The technology will play a pivotal role in Thor Salmon’s smolt-rearing facility, enabling it to produce 20,000 metric tons of salmon annually while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Innovasea’s Gas Management Towers are a key part of its sustainable approach to aquaculture. The towers move water using gravity rather than pressure, leading to energy savings of up to 77%.
This technology supports Thor Salmon’s commitment to sustainability and efficient production.
“Iceland has shown a commitment to sustainable aquaculture, and we are proud to help advance this mission,” said Marc Turano, Innovasea’s Vice President, emphasising the importance of this expansion.
Jonatan Thordarson, co-founder of Thor Salmon, also praised the efficiency and innovation of Innovasea’s GMT, calling it “state-of-the-art” and essential for the farm’s operations.
With this partnership, Innovasea continues its mission of promoting sustainable aquaculture practices.
The Icelandic operations will be managed from Innovasea’s Norway office, extending the company’s reach, which already includes operations in Canada, Norway, and Australia.
This expansion into Iceland follows Innovasea’s earlier success with its HydroAI system, a groundbreaking technology designed to help hydro dam operators improve efficiency by automatically counting and identifying fish.
Launched in May 2024, HydroAI uses high-resolution video cameras paired with AI-powered software to monitor fish movements in real time around hydropower plants.
The system provides accurate fish counts and species identification, replacing manual processes that are often time-consuming and prone to errors.
David Kelly, CEO of Innovasea, described HydroAI as a “breakthrough technology,” enabling operators to improve environmental mitigation efforts and comply with regulations.
By providing real-time data on fish activity, dam operators can make better operational decisions and reduce unnecessary plant shutdowns.
The system also facilitates transparency between hydro dam operations and regulatory authorities by delivering data to the cloud in real time.
HydroAI has already been installed at multiple Nova Scotia Power sites, and further installations are planned for fall 2024.
This technology results from Innovasea’s long-term research and development efforts, including its OceanAware and HydroAware projects.
These projects focus on improving the monitoring of aquatic animals and their environments in dynamic water settings, such as hydropower and tidal power plants.
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