Searching for the right light for RAS salmon
Scientists at Norwegian research institute Nofima have studied the effect of LED light on salmon performance in closed-containment recirculated aquaculture systems (RAS).
So far, the existing lighting conditions for salmon in RAS appear to be safe in terms of growth and mortality rates.
“However, we still know little about how the light affects salmon physiology and how they cope with the change in lighting condition after transfer to sea water,” said Jelena Kolarevic, Nofima senior scientist and project leader for research into light at CtrlAQUA, a centre for research-driven innovation in closed-containment aquaculture hosted by Nofima.
Different conditions
There is little existing research on what the optimum light intensity and quality in RAS should be. Nevertheless, white LED lighting has become widespread in closed containment systems on land.
Very often RAS are managed without in-loop disinfection which means that more particles and organic substances are present in the water preventing the light from penetrating the water column.
In sea-based net pen systems, daylight and clearer water represent the natural conditions where blue light penetrates the deepest, while red and yellow light is more common in recirculated water due to the accumulation of substances like humic and fulvic acids. The insights from net pen farming are therefore not directly applicable for the conditions in RAS.
The CtrlAQUA scientists have looked at how the use of white and full-spectrum LED light affects salmon post-smolts in RAS and how the water quality affects light penetration. Light is traditionally used in salmon farming to regulate the timing for smoltification.
Deep tanks
Based on experience from commercial RAS facilities, the scientists selected two light intensities (0.25 and 1.9 µmol/m2/s) and two light qualities (white LED and full-spectrum LED). Post-smolts were illuminated for 90 days, after which the scientists measured the water quality and salmon growth and mortality.
The results showed that a light intensity higher than 0.25 μmol/m2/s does not affect the fish’s growth and survival in the RAS facility.
The industry is looking into the minimum light intensity required for optimum growing conditions in order to cut costs. However, challenges still exist such as understanding the effect of light intensity below 0.25 µmol/m2/s. Further research is needed.
“In the current large tanks with a depth of up to five metres, it will be difficult for the fish farmer to be able to distribute the light evenly without major investments. It’s a challenge the industry has begun to look into,” said Kolarevic.
