10 million to project for sustainable shrimp and fish production

The project which has received funding from the Swedish Agricultural Agency will develop sustainable methods to produce shrimp and fish in circular aquaculture systems.

ImageSergio Zimmermann

“In the project we use bio-RAS, a technology where the water contains particles which are then filtered by a mixture of microorganisms such as bacteria, microalgae and zooplankton. These convert leftover nutrients into natural feed for the fish and shrimp. In addition, it acts as a probiotic for the animals. Overall, it creates a much more sustainable loop” says Olivier Keech.

The project is interdisciplinary and involves researchers from Umeå University, the Swedish University of Agriculture in Ultuna (SLU) as well as the newly started company Cresponix AB and Brazilian partners. Together, they will apply cutting-edge research to develop and optimize the use of bio-RAS. The technology, originally developed by professor Anders Kiessling (SLU) and Sergio Zimmerman (Zimmermann Aqua Solutions) is a tropical alternative to cold water recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) that allows for the recapture of organic resources.

The team will create an innovative, sustainable production of feed, as well as evaluate various aspects of shrimp physiology with professor Johan Dicksved and associate professor Kartik Baruah at SLU Ultuna. Furthermore, in collaboration with professor Stefan Bertilsson SLU Ultuna, a metagenomic analysis will also be carried out to assess how the microorganisms in the shrimp's gastrointestinal system develop depending on different compositions of feed and water.

Another part of the project is to develop a mathematical model that can help control and optimize energy conversion, nutrient storage, biomass production and economic viability for the pilot plant the researchers will establish.

Olivier Keech.

ImageFredrik Larsson

“This is a key component for the expansion of such facilities and municipalities, industries and future investors need to know the efficiency and return on investment of such a food production platform” explains Olivier Keech.

For this, Olivier Keech can also count on his colleagues at Umeå University, Professor Sebastian Diehl, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, and Associate Professor Jonas Westin, Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics.

The project is part of a larger project that Anders Kiessling, professor at SLU Ultuna, and Olivier Keech initiated several years ago. In a joint venture with both academics and companies, they are establishing a pilot platform for research and development at Östersjöfabriken in Västervik.

The aim is to develop a completely circular food production system that includes both fish, shrimp, vegetables, fruit, insects, mushrooms. Such platforms should ideally be placed strategically downstream of industries, such as server halls and metallurgical companies, which emit large amounts of low-grade heat, i.e. 30-60 degrees Celsius.

“Low-grade heat has no real value in itself and is currently simply cooled down to a certain threshold and released as warm air or lukewarm water into the environment. Instead, channeling the heat into greenhouses and fixing the remaining energy into biomass is a much better way to reduce the environmental impact of human activities” says Olivier Keech.

The idea of ​​the research is to contribute to food security and reduce dependency on imported food. Today, close to 70 percent of the fresh produce consumed in Sweden is imported.

“By producing more "tropical" products locally, you logically lower the carbon dioxide emissions related to imports from distant countries” says Olivier Keech.

For more information, please contact:

Olivier Keech, associate professor, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University Phone: +46 90 786 53 88
Email: olivier.keech@umu.se

Anders Kiessling, professor, Swedish University of Agriculture, Ultuna
Email: anders.kiessling@slu.se