Loch Alba Group has started assembling the first Gael Force SeaQureWell floating semi-closed fish pen at its Ardnish trout farm on Loch Ailort in western Scotland.
The system will undergo several months of installation, testing and commissioning before any fish are introduced. According to the company, all pumping, control and environmental management systems must be fully operational before stocking begins.
Developed by Gael Force since 2022, the SeaQureWell is designed to house fish in an enclosed bag suspended beneath a floating collar. The system draws water from deeper levels, where sea lice are less prevalent, while continuously filtering and replacing the water.
A key feature of the design is its ability to capture more than 90% of fish waste, according to company modelling. If confirmed during operation, the technology could significantly reduce seabed pollution and allow higher production levels than conventional open-net pens.
Loch Alba has approval for one 22,000-cubic-metre SeaQureWell with a capacity of around 800 tonnes of fish and plans to install three additional units at the site. The company expects to stock trout at around 600 grams and harvest them at approximately 4 kilograms in less than a year.
Beyond fish production, the captured sludge is expected to be processed into products such as fertiliser or biofuel, supporting a more circular approach to aquaculture waste management.
