Floating Islands aquaculture

RDI platform: Smart VAMK

Project code: 304145

Language: Finnish

Project description

The project aims to explore the feasibility of aquaculture using the Floating Islands method in brackish water. The first part of the project is to identify biodegradable floating wetland solutions suitable for the cultivation of salt tolerant plants and the second part is to evaluate suitable salt tolerant wetland plants as 1) seawater purifiers 2) food feedstocks 3) digestion feedstock for biogas production. The project aims to accelerate the development of market-oriented and sustainable product and service systems for aquaculture. At regional level, it will seek to identify models for reducing and restoring nutrient loads in water bodies and increasing food and energy security. Environmental, economic and social sustainability aspects are cross-cutting. The project will investigate natural materials suitable for floating wetlands in theory and practice, as well as the design, lifespan and overall suitability of floating wetlands for hydroponic cultivation of salt-tolerant plants in the sea areas of the Kvarken coast.

Goals

The project aims to further investigate which plants could be grown in Finnish seawater to remove as many nutrients as possible from the water. The potential uses of the plants will be explored, primarily as food, but also as seawater purifiers and biogas feedstock. The technical analysis will include the size and life cycle of the rafts in different locations. The results will be used to assess the techno-economic feasibility of floating islands aquaculture in the Kvarken, taking into account environmental considerations.

Results

The project will be used as a basis for a clear set of guidelines on, for example, plants, raft size and placement for operators wishing to develop Floating Islands aquaculture in Finnish sea water conditions.