A consortium of engineers in Scotland is developing a new anchoring technology for the aquaculture industry which could help support the sectors ambitions for long-term sustainable growth.
Sustainable Marine Energy, the tidal energy technology specialist, the University of Dundee, marine equipment supplier, Gael Force Group and the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) are exploring the development of a ‘groutless’ anchoring approach, derived from techniques currently used in highly energetic marine energy sites.
Polly Douglas, aquaculture innovation manager at SAIC, said that the technology could prove a real breakthrough. “If successful, the new anchoring technique would support the industry in meeting many of the Scottish government’s long-term ambitions for the sector, providing a sustainable foundation on which we can double the economic contribution and number of people employed in aquaculture between 2016 and 2030.”
Adopting the technology would allow fish and shellfish farms to look at areas which are currently unsuitable for use. The new approach will use much lighter anchors which form a mechanical ground lock without the need for resin or grout. The reduction in weight also allows operators to use more modestly-sized, readily available vessels for deployment.
Using a remotely-operated drilling rig positioned from a workboat also enables operators to be more precise with installation in deep-water, high-energy sites. The use of low-noise rotational drilling would minimise disturbance to the marine ecosystem and damage to the seabed, while the anchors would be fully removable and potentially re-usable.
