The Nor-Fishing Foundation has received 17 proposals for this year’s Innovation Award. Many companies and individuals show great interest in developing and improving processes and technology for the aquaculture industry. Chairman of the Board Liv Holmefjord and Director Ola Eriksen are very satisfied with this year’s applicants.

The Jury, which has reviewed all the applications on a professional basis, completed its work last week and has now submitted its recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Foundation. The Jury has consisted of Kjell Maroni, The Norwegian Seafood Research Fund, Senior advisor Oddvar Staulen, Innovation Norway, and Jan Henrik Sandberg, Senior Advisor, thew Norwegian Fishermen’s Association.

The Jury has picked out the following three finalists:

Protex AS (Ålen/Trondheim) has, together with SINTEF Teknologi og Samfunn (SINTEF Technology and Society) as their development partner, as well as with central organizations in the aquaculture industry, developed work clothes especially adapted to tomorrow’s needs in the aquaculture industry. The concept includes clothing that will function in all seasons and weather conditions for the individual. Health, Environment and Safety considerations and improved economics have played a central part in the development.

Storvik Aqua AS (Sunndalsøra) and EBTech AS (Molde) have cooperated on submitting an patent application for a system for biomass measuring of salmon based on a 3D technique using high density cameras and filter combinations that give a precise basis for calculating fish biomass. They have developed advanced picture handling algorithms that give mass calculations of a very high degree of accuracy. The system’s objective is +/- 1% deviations.

Strand Prolog AS (Averøy). This project has been develop in cooperation with Måsøval Fish Farming Co and consists of a barge, HeliXir, with tanks and equipment for medicinal treatment (against lice etc.) next to the floating cages. The system is expected to reduce the amount of medication used for lice treatment by 90 – 98%. The system filtrates all emission fluids and can also be closed to avoid any and all emissions. One retains control of the fish during treatment and the concentration level of the treatment fluids is at 133 m3, total water usage is expected to be 350 – 500 m3. By comparison, the chemical agents must be mixed with 7 000 m3 when used in a well boat, and 20 000 m3 when using a tarpaulin around the cage.

Time/Place:
The Award winner will be announced at the Festive Evening at the Scandic Nidelven Hotel on Tuesday 18 August at 19:30.

For more information:
Project Manager Kari Steinsbø, Tel +47 73 56 86 40, E-mail: kari@nor-fishing.no