Bluegreen is a Norwegian company renowned for its expertise in thermoplastics and its record-breaking HDPE structures. Bluegreen’s core pillars are fusion of thermoplastic structures and infrastructure, including land-based fish farming facilities, and engineering and production of floating closed containment aquaculture systems, such as their groundbreaking concept the Marine Donut. Bluegreen’s mission is to contribute to a sustainable and profitable future for the aquaculture industry, worldwide. Bluegreen has a subsidiary in Canada, Bluegreen Canada Inc.

The Marine Donut: Reshaping Aquaculture

Aquaculture plays a vital role in ensuring a steady supply of healthy food for the world’s growing population. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, aquaculture will need to supply 2/3 of the world’s seafood requirements by 2030. Without aquaculture, the world will face a seafood shortage of 50-80 million tonnes by 2030.

As the industry grows and our environment changes, so too do the biological, environmental, and geo-political challenges presented to dedicated farmers of the sea.

Bluegreen, a Norwegian company renowned for its expertise in thermoplastics and its record-breaking High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) structures, believes that floating closed containment systems are key to overcoming some of these challenges. The company’s experience and expertise in aquaculture has led to the creation and development of the innovative Marine Donut concept. 

The torus-shaped closed containment system fulfils all the requirements of sustainability:

Lice and Escapes

The Marine Donut intake system draws water from 20 – 40 m below the surface of the ocean, positioned below the lice belt and also ensuring less variability in temperature. The rigid closed construction also effectively prevents fish escapes.

Fish Welfare

The Marine Donut functions as a filtered flow-through system with a current that maximizes fish movement. The current can be customized based on the breeder’s preferences and the specific needs of the fish. The design of the Marine Donut maintains an optimal fish density, ensures proper oxygen distribution, and water residence time.

Sludge Collection

The Marine Donut also has the capability to collect organic waste produced in the system. The collected sludge can be utilized as fertilizer, transformed into bio-gas, or utilized in other value-added products. 

Sensory and Technological Integration

The Marine Donut is equipped with a comprehensive array of sensors and data capture-capable systems for trend analysis and management. This digital infrastructure empowers breeders with real-time control over fish and environmental conditions and enables the use of AI and machine learning for smart planning.

Enhanced Profitability

Despite a higher initial capital investment compared to traditional net pens, the Marine Donut guarantees competitive production costs of production per kilogram. It reduces feed wastage and medication expenses, eliminates lice treatment, and significantly curbs losses and mortality rates. The facility also streamlines logistics, reduces manual labour and enhances efficiency related to fish farming practices such as harvesting and transfer. 

Local Production

The design of Marine Donut facilitates local production anywhere globally. Bluegreen offers expertise and collaborates with local contractors for construction. This approach yields multiple benefits, including reduced transportation costs and CO2 emissions, job creation, and contributions to the local economy.

Recyclable Materials

Acknowledging the plastic pollution issue in our oceans, Bluegreen opts for recyclable and durable low-carbon thermoplastics as the primary material to construct the Marine Donut. When the facilities reach their end-of-life, the materials are able to be fully recycled to craft new products, ensuring a sustainable life-cycle and circular-economy.

For more information, please visit www.bluegreengroup.no   

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