Fish farming in Brändö, 24-25 July 2018

While crossing from Turku Archipelago to the Åland Archipelago, we encountered several fish farms nets. Passing by its Belisama, we could witness fishes jumping out of the water, but not escaping though as there are protection nets. 

We wanted to know more about such farms (thanks to Cybèle 17 post on fish farming in Norway in French) and our friends that we were visiting in Brändö organised for us a visit to the farm...

The farm itself is located on the shore. The cages around the farm are not containing fish, as they would need mode deep water. They are either cages on rest after having accommodated 100,000 salmon each for the two year period for their growth, or newly constructed cages awaiting deployment.

The cages at sea are 80 metres in diameter. Some are 120 metres. They are 20 metre deep, delimited by nets preventing the fishes to escape. In each, there are 100,000 fishes, mostly salmon, but rainbow trouts and "white fish". Cages are protected against seagulls and cormorant appetite by a net over the cage.

Each cage requires one ton of food everyday, delivered by a feeder boat spreading pellets at the surface of the water twice a day. Pellets are made of vegetable proteins and other fish proteins. Carotene is added to provide the "salmon" colour to the meet. In the natural environment, the colour is obtained through eating crustacées.  

Temperature, oxygen and salinity are monitored precisely to adjust the food intake. 

Fish are getting excited when pellets are thrown to them. I cannot imagine what happens when 500 kilos are poured in the cage twice a day. In fact, the guide tells us that the fish do recognise the sound of the engine of the feeder boat and start jumping around even before the boat is on site.

In the winter, with decreasing water temperatures, the metabolism of the fishes decreases, and their need for food as well. At times, the sea can freeze in the area. Propellers are then installed in the cages to maintain water movement preventing the freezing of the cage. Fish are fed then by accessing the cage on the ice.

The fish are introduced in the cages when they reach the weight of 60 to 100 grammes. The hatching of eggs and the first year growth to 100 grammes is done in Sweden (for this farm) in Fresh water. You fishes are then brought to the farm by truck. Therefore, it takes 3 years from the egg to the 3 to 4 kilo final fish. This is therefore a relative long term investment, explaining the detailed care taking place around them.

Most interesting visit indeed.

In the afternoon, we go with our friends for a short sail to the straight between Åland and Turku Arhipelagos. With south wing, we decide to go to the closet island on the east, Hässelö, for a bath.

To our surprise, we discover the village of Åselholm, a very nice small village.

The wind mill

The Åselholm landscape

The May pole in Åselholm.