A new handbook is hoping to lead the way for anyone planning to start capture-based aquaculture of cod.
Capture-based aquaculture involves catching wild animals and keeping them alive or feeding them until they are harvested.
The aim is to increase the biomass, enhance the raw material quality and the opportunity to perform strategically in relation to the market by being able to determine when the fish are harvested and sold.
For instance, the cod fishery is characterized by a short and hectic season. If wild cod is caught and kept alive in the cage, it is possible to ensure a supply of fresh cod to the markets year-round and not only during the short fishing season.
The book, written by scientists Kjell Midling at the food research institute Nofima in Tromsø and Bjørnar Isaksen at the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, is based on decades of research and outlines the equipment and procedures required to succeed with this new form of capture.
It provides advice on topics including the most gentle capture methods for cod, how to keep the fish alive, design of fishing boats, transfer to sea cages and feed enhancement.
Besides research-based knowledge, much of what we know about capture-based aquaculture is based on trial and error. When new vessels have expressed their interest in this fishery, inexperienced fishermen have started without any form of training and unfortunately the same mistakes may have been repeated far too often. The objective of this book is to raise interest in this new form of fishing that provides the highest quality of cod in the world, say the two authors, Kjell Midling and Bjørnar Isaksen.
The new handbook is financed by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF).
2009 Special Publications -part of Wyvex Media Limited