Automated sex determination of salmon smolt

By sorting smolts into sex-separated cages, opportunities are provided for optimization production on existing facilities and licenses.

Research and studies substantiate that there is significant potential that can be exploited in several ways.

Faster growth

Gender sorted fish grow faster, both males and females. Males can reach harvest-weight up to 3.5 months earlier than in mixed cages.

Improved control of harvest-weight

More even harvest-weight is achieved in both males and females. A uniform harvest-weight is also advantageous in processing plants.

The growth curve and sexual maturity of the males need not be the only decisive factor for the time of harvesting, as it may be in mixed cages.

Improved production management

Separated cages result in more even growth and allow better production management.

Production can be adjusted, various parameters can be controlled for the different weights and groups, such as feed adjustments, the light regime, time of harvesting, processing etc.

• Reduced stress-level and fish welfare is enhanced.
• Meat quality is improved through fewer lesions and a better environment in the cages.
• Lice infections are reduced, as the fish spend less time in the sea.
• Feed conversion ratio is improved, as it is possible to adjust the feed according to sex and growth phase.
• The phototherapy can be reduced, as it can be adjusted to the different sexes.
• Increased production using fewer resources means greater sustainability and less environmental impact.
• The production basis is improved, as growth is more even in sex-separated groups, so follow-up of the various groups can be adapted more easily.