New air dome enhances deep farming efficiency
Written by
Anne Oma
AKVA group has launched a next-generation air dome for the Nautilus concept, designed to optimize deep farming. Developed in close collaboration with fish farmers, the dome delivers increased stability, improved feed distribution, and easier handling. Feedback from those who have already used it has been very positive.
Arnstein Hosaas at AKVA group’s headquarters in Klepp. Photo: AKVA group
“The dome’s robust, self-righting design ensures fish always have access to a stable air pocket, even in challenging conditions. This is a significant step forward in optimizing deep farming,” says Arnstein Hosaas, Innovation Director at AKVA group.
The new dome is just one of several innovations that build on the experiences from the Atlantis project and the Nautilus concept, which have been under development since 2014. The project is supported through SkatteFUNN.
Ten years of groundbreaking deep farming
The experiences from Atlantis have laid the foundation for Nautilus, now utilized by fish farmers across Norway. The concept combines advanced technology and biological insights to create optimal fish health and growth conditions.
"The ability to adapt Nautilus to each location and the specific needs of fish farmers has been crucial to its success. Good fish welfare is key to efficient operations," says Hosaas.
Nautilus: The floating collar remains on the surface, while the net roof and air dome are submerged in the depths. Photo: AKVA group.
High interest in Nautilus webinar
488 participants registered for AKVA group’s recent webinar on deep farming. Experts such as Arnstein Hosaas, Merete Gisvold Sandberg, and Magnus Røsseland Bollmann shared their insights on how deep farming can contribute to sustainable aquaculture. Watch the webinar recording here.
“The level of engagement shows just how much interest there is in technology that addresses the industry’s biggest challenges,” says Hosaas.
Deep farming technology has proven to significantly reduce the risk of sea lice infestations, a critical issue for aquaculture. Combining waterborne feeding and advanced monitoring technologies creates better growth conditions and improves fish health.
“Several farmers have reported avoiding lice treatments for many groups of fish. This not only saves costs but also strengthens the sustainability of their operations,” Hosaas explains.
Waterborne feeding: The experiences from the Atlantis project have laid the foundation for today’s Nautilus concept, which now optimizes deep farming with seamlessly integrated solutions. From left: CEO Knut Nesse, Arnstein Hosaas, and Merete Gisvold Sandberg at AKVA group. Photo: AKVA group
Enhancing aquaculture with new technology
AKVA group continues developing solutions that give fish farmers better operations control. The AKVA smarteye modular monitoring camera, a key component of the Nautilus concept, delivers real-time data on environmental parameters such as oxygen and temperature. This helps farmers make precise feed adjustments and ensure optimal conditions for the fish.
Miroslaw Pietrzak: High-quality digital camera with control via AKVA connect 4.0 and AKVA observe VMS, delivering sharp underwater footage even in challenging lighting conditions. Photo: AKVA group
“Our technology provides fish farmers with precise tools to optimize their operations,” says Miroslaw Pietrzak, Innovation Engineering Manager at AKVA group.
With the new air dome launch and the strong interest in the Nautilus concept, AKVA group looks forward to another decade of innovation and collaboration. Sustainability and technology remain at the core of its efforts to create a profitable and future-oriented aquaculture industry.
“Technology and knowledge go hand in hand to address future challenges. Together with fish farmers, we are shaping a better future for the fish and the industry,” concludes Hosaas.