A US collaboration aims to revolutionise aquaculture technology by using solar energy for oyster production enhancing both environmental sustainability and efficiency.
Solar Oysters LLC, a sustainable aquaculture technology producer, is teaming up with Blue Oyster Environmental LLC, a vertically integrated oyster aquaculture company to bring what they say will be new -game-changing technology’ to the market.
“We look forward to working with Blue Oyster Environmental as our partner in bringing this potentially game-changing technology to growers and those interested in oyster restoration,” said Steve Pattison, business director, Solar Oysters LLC.
Driving sustainability
Solar Oysters LLC is an aquaculture technology company based in Baltimore, MD. Its Solar Oyster Production System (SOPS) is estimated to produce up to 200,000 oysters in a 0.02-acre space.
Traditional oyster farms often require multiple acres to produce a similar amount. The SOPS prototype has solar panels that rotate 575 oyster cages on five ladders to a depth of 16 feet.
This increases the oysters’ access to varying food availability, dissolved oxygen and salinity and exposes them to sunlight, which can inhibit biofouling.
The SOPS technology includes a spray wash system powered by solar energy.
In late September 2023, the SOPS prototype was moved from the Baltimore harbour to Crocheron, MD. The SOPS prototype will operate on Hoopers Island Oyster Company’s lease on Fishing Bay in 2024.
Blue Oyster Environmental (BOE) is a vertically integrated oyster company in pursuit of re-establishing the eastern oyster as a cornerstone species of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
BOE is a leader in assisting oyster farmers in quantifying and selling nutrient credits. It owns Hoopers Island Oyster Company, a full-service oyster production business that grows oysters and manufactures oyster aquaculture equipment.
The new partnership will further develop the SOPS technology and enhance its operation.
BOE will be the North American distributor of SOPS as the partnership works to bring the new technology to the aquaculture market.
