Copper cage installed in Norway
The Chilean company EcoSea, which specializes in the design and manufacture of salmon cages made of a copper-zinc alloy, was able to disembark in Norway a few days ago, through the installation and mooring of its first cage in the province of Frøya.
The process was not easy, as explained by the general manager of EcoSea, Rodrigo Sanchez, especially due to the rigorous Norwegian regulations. "Prior to the installation, we start certifying our wire and mesh, as well as the assembly process and recertifying the entire flotation system, which is independent of the grid," said the executive.
According to Sanchez, this is a trial on a commercial scale, with the first stage of a maximum of six months without fish, after which salmon will be stocked in this circular cage of 40m in diameter which will have a production capacity of between 300 and 400 tonnes.
Regarding what motivated its Norwegian customer to decide on this Chilean technological solution, the executive said that "the keys to our client were focused on the control of escapes, lice and fouling facilitated by our cages".
Likewise, and reflecting his satisfaction from this unprecedented commercial success, he said that "this is one of the greatest achievements of our company. We are probably the only or one of just few foreign companies that have installed cages in Norway".
This technology provides important benefits to the salmon industry, especially when facing sanitary problems due to the documented effects of the copper mesh in the fish survival. Likewise, this copper cages have antifouling properties, a higher mechanical strength, provide better oxygenation, prevent attacks from predators and are 100% recyclable, said the company.
