Evaluation and Design of an Integrated MultiTrophic Aquaculture System
Kelson Marine evaluates the design of a proposed aquaculture farm in Scotland
In 2023, the Kilchean Bay in Loch Melfort, Scotland was evaluated for oyster and saccharina latissma (sugar kelp) cultivation. Open Climate Solutions provided design requirements and objects for this semi-exposed site to Kelson Marine, who then iterated on the proposed system based on the design's response to the extreme ocean environment. By completing a full analysis of the site, Kelson Marine determined expected peak values for current, wave, wind, and tidal conditions. These values were integrated into a numerical model of the proposed multi-trophic aquaculture system. Through this model, Kelson Marine verified the feasibility of the initial design and provided specific dimensions, material types, and safety factors for the farm.
Kelson developed the applied modeling techniques in collaboration with the U.S. Naval Academy, the University of New England, and collaborators under the U.S. Dept. of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-energy MARINER project. Kelson and collaborators demonstrated the validity of this approach by comparing model predictions against measurements of line tension in a full-scale open-ocean site in the Gulf of Maine, which were found to be within 15% of predicted values on average.
"...how do we know that even with all these sophisticated simulation tools that we're actually predicting the right results? Well, we measure it at full scale in the ocean."
In the graphic the green horizontal lines are grow lines for kelp and the black boxes on the top and bottom are oyster cages. This design is an example of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture. What does this mean?
- Includes multiple species, in this case sugar kelp and oysters
- These species occupy different and complimentary links in the food chain
- Results in a more sustainable aquaculture system
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