Atlantic Sapphire secures oxygen lifeline from water treatment plants
On-land salmon farmer Atlantic Sapphire has found a fresh supply of liquid oxygen for its Bluehouse facility in Florida, where supplies have been running low because of a surge in the number of people contracting Covid-19.
Atlantic Sapphire announced on Friday that it was carrying out a controlled harvest of 100,000 fish at sub-optimal weights because of “unprecedented” demand for liquid oxygen (LOX).
In an operational update published overnight, the company said that it has since been able to source additional liquid oxygen deliveries by cooperating with Miami-Dade County (MDC) to pick up non-medical grade LOX produced at MDC’s wastewater treatment plants.
Third supplier
“In addition to the MDC source of LOX, as well as its current supplier, the Company is also expecting deliveries from a third supplier later in the week,” stated Atlantic Sapphire.
“The non-medical grade LOX received is not certified for human consumption, and therefore does not compete with demand from hospitals, while being equally suitable for salmon.”
The salmon farmer has also contracted its own LOX truck with certified drivers.
Excellent water quality
“As a result, the Company will not only be picking up LOX from MDC’s wastewater treatment plants but also assist the county with supply of LOX to other municipal water treatment utilities across the state of Florida,” said Atlantic Sapphire.
“Atlantic Sapphire ASA is committed to being a responsible partner to the community in which it operates and is proud to help whenever possible.
“Water quality in the farm is excellent and the Company has over the weekend carefully restarted feeding of fish across its fresh- and salt-water systems.”
Onsite oxygen production
The local authority had been incredibly supportive, said Atlantic Sapphire, which added it would continue to monitor the LOX shortage and its effects.
The company said onsite production of oxygen had always been part of the master plan for the Florida site, which is being built in phases. “This is viable at scale but was not part of the Phase 1 construction project because the supply of LOX has historically been reliable in the US. The Company does not see oxygen supply as a barrier to future expansion efforts,” said Atlantic Sapphire, which is holding a video conference call later today to update interested parties on its situation.
Atlantic Sapphire intends to produce 220,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon per year at the Florida Bluehouse by 2031, but has not yet reached its initial target of 10,000 tonnes.
