“Closed Containment” fish farm reports storm damage
Canada: A floating tank farm near Campbell River on Vancouver Island may have experienced an incident of fish escape- the second in the company’s history. No losses reported from conventional net pen farms
FishfarmingXpert, Odd Grydeland, March 15, 2012
A vicious storm blew across eastern Vancouver Island earlier this week, causing trees to topple and roads to be closed. The Canadian company AgriMarine Holdings Inc. has for some time presented itself as “The leader in floating solid-wall containment technology and production for sustainable aquaculture” and in the process quite openly criticized the environmental performance of conventional, ocean net pen technology as inferior with respect to its environmental performance. The company installed a 3,000 m³ floating demonstration tank at a marine facility just north of Campbell River just over a year ago, and stocked it with more than 50,000 Chinook salmon smolts. More tanks were to be installed this spring, but all of the salmon currently in stock were to be grown to a weight of some 4.0 Kg average size in the current tank before scheduled harvesting this summer.
Today, AgriMarine issued an advisory stating that the farm “sustained damage from a powerful wind storm that hit the coast of British Columbia on Monday, March 12, 2012”. From its web site, the company provides these details, although no estimates of number of potentially lost fish were made;
The severe storm that brought winds gusting over 130 kilometres per hour caused extensive damage to Vancouver Island, affecting the Company’s farm as well as other coastal operators. The extreme weather conditions compromised an outlet panel of the demonstration floating rearing tank and may have allowed some storm related losses. The Company took immediate actions to contain the damage and an early assessment confirmed that there was little impact on fish health.
Although there was some structural damage to the upper part of the tank, the Company is pleased to report that all back-up power, oxygen supply and monitoring systems operated as designed throughout the storm related power failure and that all mooring systems remained intact. “This was the largest storm in recent memory and by far one of the most destructive we have ever experienced”, said Robert Walker, President of AgriMarine Industries. “Prior to this extreme storm event, the demonstration tank successfully withstood over 13 months of challenges from the marine environment in Campbell River as it was modelled against 50 year storm data.” Mr. Walker added, “We have already implemented design changes for future marine tanks with more stringent manufacturing criteria based on the results of the environmental loadings on Tank 1”.
While the Company is conducting physical inspections and an internal review to assess and mitigate the structural damage, management is taking all the necessary steps to minimize impacts and improve manufacturing and design processes for further installations. An interim report has been filed with federal authorities, and a full report will follow upon receipt of more in-depth assessments by our technical team.
AgriMarine is a publicly listed enterprise which is trading at a share price of CAD$0.18 (~€0.14) today compared with a value of some CAD$ 0.61 (~€0.47 based on today’s exchange rate) just over a year ago- shortly after the first tank was installed and stocked with Chinook salmon. AgriMarine recently announced a private placement by investors of CAD$4,705,000 (~€3.6 million).
News Releases:
No damage from violent storm
Mainstream Canada Newsletter, Wed, 2012-03-14
Marine Harvest Canada Reports no Major Damage or Injuries from Massive Storm
Marine Harvest Canada, March 14, 2012
AgriMarine Reports Damage to BC Demonstration Tank in Severe Storm
AgriMarine, March 14, 2012
Agrimarine Holdings Ltd: broken system and broken promises
BC salmon farmers have been very patient with Agrimarine Holdings Ltd., but that patience is wearing thin.
Preparing for the unexpected
Submitted by BC Salmon Facts
On March 12 and 14, 2012, Vancouver Island experienced one of the most violent storms in years. Sustained winds of 70-100 kilometres per hour (gusting up to 137 kms/hr) wreaked havoc on the Island; uprooting massive trees, knocking out power and cancelling air and boat travel. About 35,000 homes were without power on Vancouver Island - some for over three days. There were no injuries or major damage done to any farm sites run by Mainstream Canada, Marine Harvest Canada, Grieg Seafood or Creative salmon...To read more Click Here
Marine Harvest, Mainstream operations weather the storms
Courier-Islander, Thursday, March 15, 2012
Despite some of the most severe weather to ever hit Vancouver Island both Marine Harvest Canada (MHC) and Mainstream Canada said there was no major damage to their salmon farming operations or injuries to staff.
Meanwhile Agrimarine Holdings floating solid-wall containment demonstration fish farm at Middle Bay sustained damage that "may have allowed some storm related losses." It is not known how many fish, Chinook, may have escaped but the company reported no damage to the health of its remaining stock.
On March 12 and 14, sustained winds of 70-100 kilometres per hour (gusting up to 137 kms/hr) wreaked havoc on the Island; uprooting massive trees, knocking out power and cancelling air and boat travel. About 35,000 homes were without power on Vancouver Island - some for over three days.
"This was one of the strongest storms I can remember," said Matt Clarke, MHC's Marine Engineering Manager, "but our marine-based operations fared well against massive waves and high winds. Some minor equipment damage occurred as could be expected, but nothing that would be deemed critical or life threatening."
An incident of serious concern did occur at one of Marine Harvest's land-based aquaculture facilities 55 kms north of Campbell River. Falling trees dropped power lines perilously close to propane storage tanks, and very close to three family homes that are on the property.
"Back-up generators at our land-based operations have been running successfully for several days now to provide water flow and oxygen to the fish," said Philip Redmond, MHC's Freshwater Operations Manager.
James Rogers, Health and Safety Manager, said no incidents of injury to any employees requiring medical attention have been reported.
Marine Harvest Canada is British Columbia's largest salmon aquaculture company with a staff of 500. It's processing plants, marine and land based operations are located on and around Vancouver Island and Klemtu.
Mainstream Canada reported there were no injuries, no fish escapes and no major damage done to any of the company's ocean farm sites.
"Thanks to the skill of our employees, and our best management practices, our farm sites weathered the storm without incident," said Laurie Jensen, Mainstream Canada's Communications and Corporate Sustainability Manager.
Mainstream Canada grows salmon in 27 sea sites near Tofino, Campbell River and Port McNeill.
