GS Engineering & Construction has demonstrated the entire process of raising Atlantic salmon from hatchery to market in Busan. The company has secured relevant technology and data through direct management of the operations, including egg stocking, hatching, and the growth of fry, smolts, and adult fish, with actual salmon shipments expected by the end of this year.
On September 30, GS Engineering & Construction and its subsidiary EcoAquafarm held a 'Clean K-Salmon Shipping Declaration Ceremony' at the Busan Smart Aquaculture Cluster in Gijang-gun, Busan, showcasing the Atlantic salmon raised through land-based aquaculture. They announced that they have acquired the technology and operational capabilities applicable to future land-based aquaculture projects.
Currently, South Korea relies heavily on imports for its salmon supply. According to the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), of the 73,588 tons of salmon supplied domestically last year, 73,354 tons, or approximately 99.7%, were imported, with local production only reaching 234 tons.
To apply water treatment technology to salmon farming, GS Engineering & Construction established EcoAquafarm in 2020. EcoAquafarm has directly managed the entire process from egg stocking to hatching, fry and smolt growth, and preparation for shipment, accumulating data on growth and facility operations.
The demonstration facility utilizes a closed recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) based on GS Engineering & Construction's water treatment technology, along with smart aquaculture technology powered by information and communication technology (ICT). The RAS filters and purifies the water used in aquaculture for reuse. The ZWC technology, which adds a water treatment process, allows for up to 99% reuse of the aquaculture water.
They also demonstrated technology to maintain consistent water temperature and quality. As a cold-water species, Atlantic salmon requires careful management of temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen levels to thrive year-round in South Korea. EcoAquafarm utilized cooling devices and temperature control systems to maintain optimal water temperatures between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius, even during the summer.
The facility has implemented a system that collects and analyzes data on equipment and water quality through sensors, allowing for automated control of devices. A patented technology using underwater cameras assesses the growth status of the salmon to determine the timing for transitioning to the next growth environment.
GS Engineering & Construction and EcoAquafarm have also secured patents for related water treatment technologies. In 2023, they obtained a patent for 'Recirculating Aquaculture Facilities and Water Treatment Methods for Recirculating Aquaculture Facilities,' and last year, they received a patent for 'Desalination Aquaculture Facilities and Desalination Treatment Methods for Desalination Aquaculture Facilities.'
During the production process, they received registration for seafood traceability management and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approval last year, and in June of this year, they obtained antibiotic-free certification for Atlantic salmon.
GS Engineering & Construction plans to begin Atlantic salmon farming at the Busan Smart Aquaculture Cluster, which is set to be completed in December 2024. This testbed facility can produce up to 500 tons annually, and the technologies and data acquired through this demonstration will be developed into a platform applicable to other land-based aquaculture projects.
A representative from GS Engineering & Construction stated, "We have accumulated the necessary technology and operational capabilities for the entire land-based aquaculture process, from water treatment to growth management and facility operations, by actually raising Atlantic salmon. We will continue to enhance the competitiveness of our land-based aquaculture platform based on the technologies and data we have secured."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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