Waterborne feeding systems are a new technology gaining traction among salmon farmers for their potential to reduce energy consumption, microplastic pollution, and sea lice exposure. While these systems offer promising benefits, BioMar has identified specific factors contributing to nutritional loss in feed delivered through submerged systems.

Drawing from extensive experience with the ORBIT product range and POWER grower diets, BioMar has made significant progress in understanding how raw materials and production processes impact feed performance in submerged environments. Early validation trials conducted on commercial systems have delivered promising results, giving BioMar a strong foundation for further development.

“Through our research, we have a better understanding of the complex dynamics of waterborne feeding,” said Ewan Cameron, product marketing manager of the Grower Category for BioMar. “These insights allow us to enhance our feed formulations and production techniques to reduce nutrient loss significantly.”

Internal trials have shown that several factors can drive nutrient degradation. These factors vary in intensity and underline the complexity of creating an aquafeed that performs consistently under the unique conditions of waterborne feeding.

Although BioMar's work in this area is ongoing, the results thus far demonstrate a commitment to addressing the challenges of waterborne feeding head-on. With a specialized grower diet for these systems under development, BioMar is focused on equipping farmers with the tools they need to unlock the full potential of this innovative technology.

“Farmers can trust that we are not only aware of the challenges but are actively developing practical solutions. Our progress to date is a significant step forward, and we’re excited to share more as we advance toward a final product,” concluded Ewan.