PACIFIC AQUACULTURE, INC. Strait of Juan de Fuca Sea Cage Operational Plan

Transcription

1 PACIFIC AQUACULTURE, INC. Strait of Juan de Fuca Sea Cage Operational Plan July 15, 2011

2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Site Location... 2 Site Configuration... 4 Cage Structure... 4 Cage Construction and Deployment... 6 Cage Servicing... 7 Logistics... 8 Fish Farm Workers... 8 Fish Production Information... 9 Fingerling Supply Feeding System Feed Supply Daily Management Routine Disease and Sea Lice Monitoring Disease Treatment Fish Harvesting and Processing Navigational Lights/Markers Reporting Service Contracts Best Aquaculture Practices (BAPs) Appendix A: Letter of Endorsement from the Confederated Colville Tribe Appendix B: OCEA Cage Brochure Appendix C: Best Aquaculture Practices Appendix D: GAEL Force Feeding System

3 Introduction Pacific Aquaculture, Inc. (PAI) is a Washington-based aquaculture company, producing fresh steelhead (rainbow trout) for the wholesale seafood market. The company is a division of Pacific Seafood ( The Rufus Woods Lake aquaculture sites operated by PAI have been rearing steelhead trout in the Columbia River for more than 16 years. PAI raises and controls each fish from hatchery to harvesting, ensuring that only a quality product is delivered to the market place. Production fish are harvested and shipped out the same day to seafood customers located throughout the United States on a year-around basis. Pacific Aquaculture employs full time personnel in Eastern Washington where the unemployment rate on the Colville Reservation is greater than 90%. PAI is proud of its working relationship with the Colville Tribe (see attached letter Appendix A) and the fact that the majority of its employees are Tribal members. Pacific Aquaculture s longterm vision for the Rufus Woods Lake operation includes building a processing plant (for which all permits have been obtained), and developing a third fish farming site. Figure 1. Existing Rufus Woods Lake Site #1 Pacific Aquaculture, Inc. (Colville Reservation) Pacific Aquaculture is now looking for expansion possibilities in areas such as the Strait of Juan de Fuca. PAI is proposing a cage production operation on the Strait of Juan de Fuca that is capable of growing 5,000 tons/yr of triploid (sterile) steelhead trout and/or Atlantic salmon. The purpose of the Strait of Juan de Fuca site will be to augment existing Pacific Aquaculture operations. The new site is needed to improve the long-term effectiveness of existing Pacific Aquaculture operations to compete with foreign companies that produce farm-raised steelhead trout and Atlantic salmon and export it for sale in the United States. This site will contribute to reducing the United States Seafood trade deficit which has grown to more than $9 billion annually, and will provide much needed employment in the rural area (U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Aquaculture Program, February 8, 2011). After carefully considering several potential marine sites, PAI has identified a potential cage site approximately 20 miles west of Port Angeles, Washington. 1

4 Site Location PAI s preferred location for the proposed fish farm on the Strait of Juan de Fuca is approximately 20 miles west of Port Angeles (see Figure 2). Figure 2. Aerial View: Proposed Fish Farm Site Figure 3 is a map of the proposed aquatic lease area west of Port Angeles. The aquatic lease area for the proposed PAI site is shown by the 180 acre area encompassed by a red rectangle on this map. The site is located between the Lyre River and Twin Rivers, and adjacent to Washington State Department of Figure 3. Location Map: Proposed Fish Farm Aquatic Lease Area 2

5 Natural Resources (WDNR) land. The site is approximately 2 miles from the Twin Rivers (to the west) and 3 miles from the Lyre River (to the east). The proposed WDNR aquatic lease area is located in deep water and in an exposed area. PAI identified this site as preferred, because it was considered to be the most suitable for nutrient and waste dispersal associated with the fish farm operation. While a 180 acre aquatic lease area is proposed, the actual foot print of the 24 cages and their associated mooring systems will only occupy approximately 150 acres. As shown in Figure 4, the site is well south of the major inbound vessel traffic zone, but the chart also show smaller arrows in easterly and westerly directions that apparently represent small boat traffic lanes around the Naval Exercise Area to the north. There are no known conflicts between the proposed site and navigation or commercial fishing; however, towboats likely use this area during periods of opposing currents. The U.S. Naval Exercise Area extends from a mid-channel buoy directly north of Port Angeles Harbor to a mid-channel buoy just south of the Swiftsure Bank at the western entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The proposed fish farm cages would be located > 2000 ft. south of the Naval Exercise Area. Figure 4. Vessel Traffic Patterns and Naval Exercise Area in the Vicinity of the PAI Preferred Alternative Site. Note K on NOAA chart recommends that: two-way route south of the vessel traffic separation scheme (TSS) formalizes traffic patterns where slower vessels (such as tug and barge) and fishing vessels pass starboard to starboard. Slower moving traffic transiting eastbound is to follow the route established south of the traffic separation scheme and north of the recommended two-way route line depicted on the chart. Slower moving traffic transiting westbound should follow the route established 3

6 south of the recommended two-way route line. PAI s preferred alternative site is therefore clear of these established vessel traffic routes. Site Configuration The proposed fish farm site would consist of two groups of 12 circular net pens. Each pen will be a maximum diameter of 130 feet and will be moored inside the aquatic lease area in a similar manner to the net pen array shown in Figures 5 and 6. The proposed fish cages will be of the floating ring cage design. Figure 7 shows a close-up of the cage construction. The rings are made of HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic, bound together with hotdip galvanized steel stanchions. The stanchions support the net, which lies in the center of the plastic ring. Figure 5. Artist s Rendering of Twelve Circular Cages in an Aquaculture Net Pen Array Cage Structure PAI proposes to use the OCEA SteelCircle cage system or Aqualine cages for the Strait of Juan de Fuca fish farm. This type of cage system performs well in stress and tension tests, and is the nearest thing to an "offshore cage" available on the plastics market. Stresses 4 Figure 6: Proposed Fish Cage Layout

7 and strains on the cage are absorbed by the steel ring that connects the clamps together (primary securing), and transferred to the frame moorings via integrated chain harnesses in the steel frames. The plastic tubes act as floats and also provide secondary protection. The system will be constructed and supplied in accordance with the Norwegian standard for floating fish farming equipment. Cages will be purchased with a 50 lbs/ft ballast bottom ring. The bottom of the nets will be tied to the ballast to maintain shape in high current situations (see illustration on the cover page of this Sea Cage Operational Plan). The cages have an engineered Hs (significant height) wave capacity of 10 feet, which is equivalent to a designed wave height of 16.5 feet; see Appendix B. These cages routinely undergo 18 feet waves in the Faroe Islands. The cages can handle a maximum net depth of 130 feet. This is twice the depth that is proposed in the PAI Strait of Juan de Fuca fish farm. Fish cage mesh (netting material) comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Figure 8 shows the most common nylon mesh type. Next to ensuring human safety, secure containment of fish within the nets is the highest priority at PAI sites. Heavy barrier nylon netting material (minimum 210/160) is used for operations. Mesh sizes vary from 1 inch to 2.25 inches, with Figure 7: Close-up of Fish Cage Construction smaller sizes designed for juvenile fishes and the larger sizes for larger fishes. The use of larger size mesh is desirable because less frequent cleaning is required. Nets will be kept clean with regular net changes (nets will be cleaned off site). (Net changes will prevent fouling from organisms and will maintain fish health.) Predator nets will be used to ward off potential fish predators such as seals, sharks, dolphins, and other fish. A predator net is a second, larger mesh net that surrounds and protects the fish cage itself. These nets are designed to provide a barrier between the farmed fish and potential fish predators in the surrounding environment. Predators attack live fish or bite at dead fish through the mesh. This stresses the fish in the cage and can make holes in Figure 8. Standard Nylon Fish Cage Mesh the mesh, resulting in fish escapes. Predator nets will be used to prevent seals/sea lions or sharks from biting a fish and creating holes on the main net of the cages. All cages will be covered by a mesh barrier net to prevent birds /seals from entering the cage from the top. This mesh will be suspended above the water to prevent fouling and damage to the fish inside the 5

8 cage. Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP s Appendix C) will be employed to focus on escape prevention. Dive inspections for holes in the nets would be conducted weekly by contract divers and certified divers. The fish cages will be moored securely to the sea floor using a multipoint grid system as specified by the cage manufacturer (see Figure 9). Danforth-type (plow) anchors are proposed. Final weight and dimensions will be designed by cage manufacture. The environmental impact of this mooring system is considered to be minor, as once anchors are set they will not drag or otherwise disturb the sediment. The anchors and ropes will create additional habitat (attachment surfaces) for a variety of marine plants and invertebrates. Circular cages will be moored apart in groups around a herring bone mooring configuration. Moorings will consist of anchors, chains, ropes and buoys moored to the bottom at multiple points for safety. Moorings will hold cages within the aquatic lease area, while allowing them to move up and down with the tide. Cages can be disconnected from the Figure 9. Example of Multipoint Grid Mooring System mooring configuration and moved around. Final mooring details will be provided by the cage manufacturer for the specific site requirements. Cage Construction and Deployment Construction and installation of the plastic net pens is estimated to take approximately 6 months. The cages themselves could be assembled at any local ship yard in Washington State and towed to the site using a fishing vessel (see Figure 10). The cages could also be assembled locally such as the Lafarge site 3 miles to the west of the proposed fish farm location. Anchors would be deployed from either a barge or fishing vessel. Anchors, anchor chains and anchor lines will be deployed as per cage manufacture recommendations. 6

9 Figure 10. Cages Being Towed to Site Location Cage Servicing Generally, the Strait of Juan De Fuca has a rugged and exposed coastline with significant wave action. Fouled cages would not only reduce water quality conditions inside the cage, but would result in significant drag stresses being placed on the mooring system as water currents and waves pass through the mesh. To minimize the chance of mooring system or cage breakage, it will be essential for the cages to be well maintained and remain relatively free of fouling organisms. The cage mesh will be removed, washed and cleaned when necessary. The frequency of cage servicing will be dependent on the season. Figure 11. Bathymetric Survey: PAI Preferred Alternative Site 7

10 Net changes will be conducted using a large service vessel with onboard cranes so that the nets can be handled relatively easily. The mesh will be untied from the floating ring and temporarily tied onto the replacement net along one edge. The new net will be lowered into the water. The old net will then be lifted onto the boat by crane from the back end, encouraging all fish in the net to swim across into the new net. Once the old net is on the boat and all the fish have moved into the new net, the two nets will be untied. The new net will be fastened onto the floating ring and the old net will be taken back to base station for washing and drying. The cage mooring system will be checked by divers twice per year in its entirety to ensure that there are no weak points or places of excessive wear, and that the structure is maintaining its integrity. If weak points or loose ropes are detected, they will be repaired immediately. The cage mooring system will be removed or replaced as recommended by the cage manufacturer. Logistics There is a very large (300 ft. long) existing earthen pier 3 miles west of the PAI preferred alternative site, just west of West Twin River (Figure 12). This large facility is owned by LaFarge North America and is not in regular use. PAI has been in contact with Serene Jweied of LaFarge North America and has proposed to use this pier during net pen construction and launching. Figure 12. Existing LaFarge Earthen Pier Approximately 8 miles west of the PAI preferred alternative site, in the lee of Pillar Point, is the rip rap protected Silver King Resort boat launch and access point that operates seasonally (Figure 13). It features a paved launch ramp and completely calm conditions inside the breakwater. This area could be an alternative construction area to the earthen pier location. Fish Farm Workers Fish farm workers and contract divers will be brought out to the site from Port Angeles Harbor or from the Silver King Resort via boat. Due to the remote location of PAI s preferred alternative site, staff may 8

11 live onsite for periods of time to provide security and respond to farm emergencies. The Facility will comply with applicable local, State and Federal regulations governing the rights and conditions of employment of fish farm personnel. Staff shall be given training on the work they are required to do as well as on safety procedures. A written safety manual will be available and all workers will be trained in first aid and emergency response procedures. The proposed farm will comply with all dive safety procedures. Dive plans, procedural logs, and maintenance records will be kept by certified divers. A dive supervisor will be responsible for dealing with diving emergencies that may occur with staff and/or contract divers (e.g., decompression sickness). Certified divers will be used to collect fish mortalities several times per week. In the winter, the diving will be conducted twice per week (unless dive conditions are dangerous), whereas in the summer the diving could be as frequent as three times per week. Figure 13. Existing Silver King Resort Boat Launch and Access Point Fish Production Information Two production schedules have been proposed one each for triploid steelhead trout, and Atlantic salmon (Table 1). The information provided below shows the number of cages, fish species, number stocked in a group of 12 cages, maximum density, and biomass at harvest in each group of 12 cages. 9

12 Table 1. Steelhead trout and Atlantic salmon production estimates. # cages Species Cage Volume Max Number Max Stocking Max Stocking Harvest Ft3 x 1000 Fish Stocked Density (lb/ft3) Biomass (tons) Size (lbs) 12 Steelhead 10,000 1,750, , Atlantic 12 Salmon 10,000 1,000, , It is expected that it would take approximately 14 months for steelhead trout to reach a market size of 6.5 lbs, whereas it would take approximately 18 to 20 months for Atlantic salmon to reach a market size of 10 lbs. It is anticipated that the triploid steelhead trout production would be approximately 4,500 tons every 18 months, which equates to an annualized production of approximately 3,000 tons per year. Atlantic salmon production is expected to be approximately 4,500 tons every 2 years, or an annualized production of approximately 2,250 tons. At full production, the total annual output for both species is expected to be approximately 5,250 tons. The 3,000 tons steelhead trout operation would be less than PAI s existing annual production on Rufus Woods Lake (Columbia River). The 5,250 tons combined operation would be equivalent to the production from PAI s three sites on the Columbia River. The proposal includes stocking cages at the same or lower densities than those shown in Table 1 with no more than one species per cage. The cages would be initially stocked with steelhead trout to test the system. Depending on the results of the system test, a second group of 12 cages would be deployed and tested with Atlantic salmon. Each production schedule would require approximately 145,000 steelhead trout fingerlings per cage as seed stock to produce a maximum of 4,500 tons of whole fish. It would take approximately 85,000 Atlantic salmon smolts per cage to produce approximately 4,500 tons of whole fish of this species. It is estimated that 10 to 15% of the fingerlings would be lost over the production cycle due to grading, culling and natural mortality. The capacity of the sea cage farm proposal has been reduced by 60% from 628 tons/cage holding capacity (at 1.67 lbs/ft) to 378 tons holding capacity in the interest of sustainable development. The figures used in the production estimates are based on real data and are Figure 14. Fingerling Stock considered normal for this type of operation. The data reflects the maximum amount of stock to be held in the cages at any one time over the production cycle. Fingerling Supply Fingerling supply would come from the Pacific Aquaculture fish hatchery, or from other commercial hatchery operations. It is anticipated that 0.1 to 0.2 lb fish would be stocked in each cage (Figure 14). 10

13 Fingerlings would be transported to Port Angeles via road, and transported from there to the fish farm site by live-haul vessel from which they would be stocked directly into fish cages. Salmon fingerlings would be produced from eggs that are obtained in Washington State or from eggs imported from a British Columbia operation. Fingerlings would be stocked into the fish cages as per the production plan (see the Fish Production Information subsection above), and no more than 1 lb/ft 3 of fish will be held in the cages at any time. Feeding System The SEA CAP 10 system is proposed for feeding PAI s fish at the Strait Figure 15: Sea Cap 10 Feed Barge of Juan de Fuca site (Appendix D). The feeding barge can pneumatically convey fish feed from its onboard silos to each of the cages using a regenerative blower. All aspects of the feeding system such as feed rates, meal times, and feed types are controlled with the auto-feeder software. Feed can be transported for distances up to 5,000 feet from the main silos. The SEA-CAP 10 is a circular reinforced concrete pontoon, 33 feet in diameter, designed to house a 200-ton nominal capacity feed silo, plant room, canteen and equipment, toilet, office, communication systems, generator, feeding system and safety equipment to comply with relevant regulations and guidelines (see Figure 15). Video of the feeding system can be reviewed at: Feed Supply Two options are under consideration for the fish feed supply: food produced by USA feed manufacturers, or imported feed produced in Canada. PAI would prefer to purchase feed from local producers, as local feed companies would more easily provide a feed specifically designed for the requirements of the species being cultured rather than a more generalist imported brand. If imported feed is more cost effective, emphasis may be placed on buying such feeds in bulk. At the time of this writing, a number of feed experiments are under way to determine the best available feed for each species proposed for cultivation. There are two large-scale fish feed manufacturers in the United States. They include Rangen Feeds and Silver Cup. The specifications for these two feeds as well as imported feed can be reviewed at: and At the time of this writing, it appears that the Rangen or Silver Cup diet would be best suited for the steelhead trout to be reared, while the Skretting ( or EWOS diet ( would be best suited for the Atlantic salmon. Imported diets are more expensive, but may prove their worth in feed conversions during growth trials. Growth experiments with these two feeds and one imported diet are currently being undertaken to determine the suitability and cost effectiveness of a preferred diet for each species. 11

14 Daily Management Routine Feeding of the fish in the cages will take place one to three times per day on average. Feeding frequency will depend on the size of the fish being fed (smaller fish are fed more often), prevailing weather conditions (no feeding during rough seas), water temperature (reduced feeding frequency during periods of colder water), and operational conditions (e.g., no feeding during net changing). The fish will be fed approximately 1 to 2% of their bodyweight per day depending on conditions. Feed will be delivered pneumatically to all cages until the fish are 90% satiated (as observed through the use of underwater feeding cameras) and feeding behavior has slowed to the point where uneaten food is not being consumed. Slow-swimming and dying fish will be removed from the cage at least once per day. Each cage will be inspected at least twice per week by divers for the removal of dead fish on the cage bottom and to check for cage damage. Dead fish will be disposed in totes that will be transported by boat to Port Angeles Harbor for disposal. Mortalities will then be transported by truck from Port Angeles to Pacific Seafood s fish meal processing facility where they will be converted to fish meal and fish oil. Disease and Sea Lice Monitoring Pacific Aquaculture proposes a disease monitoring and prevention procedure for the Strait site application. Monthly sampling data will be taken from one fish from each cage and will include the following: Skin scrape Gill clipping Any metazoan parasites Bacterial samples General autopsy including digital photographs of the fish skin, gills, fins, intestines and liver Sea Lice Random fish samples for disease monitoring will be collected by farm staff and preserved in a refrigerated container out of water for no more than 3 hours before being delivered to the independent health specialist. PAI proposes to retain Dr. Hugh Mitchell to serve as the independent veterinarian for the proposed PAI Strait of Juan de Fuca net pen aquaculture operation. The independent veterinarian will then undertake the required sampling and send a disease report to the State veterinarian. The State veterinarian will report back to PAI on the health of the fish. Dr. Ralph Elston (AquaTechnics) in Carlsborg, Washington (near Sequim) will also be retained by PAI to perform disease diagnosis associated with the operation. Disease Treatment All smolts entered into the salt water will be disease-free and will be vaccinated for a number of diseases including furunculosis, vibrio, and rickettsia. Once yellow mouth vaccine is developed, it will 12

15 also be used. Should a disease event occur, the most likely disorders would be gill amoeba, rickettsia, or yellow mouth. The treatment for gill amoeba is a freshwater bath. A fishing vessel with freshwater tanks is pulled alongside the infected cage. The fish are pumped into the freshwater tank for treatment and the cage mesh net is changed. Rickettsia is treated by the use of Oxytetracycline or via vaccine. Yellow mouth is treated with Aquaflor, as there is no vaccine available at this time. If required, PAI s independent veterinarian will provide information on disease treatment chemicals and recommend the use of these chemicals to the State veterinarian who, if in agreement, will submit a request to the relevant authority for the drug to be used. Only after a regulatory body has approved use of the drug will treatment be initiated in accordance with the independent veterinarian s prescription. For information purposes, a list of authorized and low regulatory drugs (with approved sources and withdrawal periods) prescribed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in aquaculture can be found on the FDA website ( Fish Harvesting and Processing Fish harvesting and processing will be undertaken using a commercial fishing vessel. The boat will be pulled alongside the cage and harvest-size fish will be crowded inside the cage with the use of a crowding net (see Figure 16). The vessel will either have crushed ice on board or a refrigerated sea water system capable of cooling the fish to 32 degrees Fahrenheit ( F) within 3 hours. The fish will be crowded with the seine net and then pumped onto the work boat (commercial fishing vessel) where they will be automatically stunned and bled. The fish will then be dropped into the vessel hold and transported to a local processing facility for offloading and processing. If no processing facility is available in the local community, the fish will be transported to one of PAI s processing facilities via truck from Port Angeles or directly by vessel to a seaside processing facility. Figure 16: Harvest Operation 13

16 Navigational Lights/Markers Cage structures and the feeding barge will be equipped with private aids to navigation in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard requirements. These will include navigational lights and appropriate radar reflectors. Reporting It is PAI s intention to provide comprehensive reporting mechanisms to all regulatory authorities (internal and external) over the duration of the proposed project. The following record keeping information will be maintained: 1. Real-time information on fish species, number and size in each fish cage (fish sub-samples to be taken once per month for size and growth rate information). 2. Real-time information of feeding records for each cage and general feed stocks. 3. Records of the following: a. A complete history of cultured stock movements into and out of each cage b. Fish mortalities from each cage c. Fish escapes d. Whale/dolphin/seal/shark sightings e. Whale/dolphin/seal/shark/bird entanglements f. Disease as per disease monitoring program g. Disease treatments. Reports summarizing the above information in the format required will be submitted once per month to the appropriate authorities. Service Contracts PAI will work with local companies and individuals for various service agreements. Service agreements will include delivery of feed to the site, barge and boat services, diving, repair and maintenance of equipment, environmental monitoring, and diagnostic services. Preference will be given to tribal owned entities. It is anticipated that service companies will be working out of the Port Angeles Harbor. Best Aquaculture Practices (BAPs) PAI will implement Global Aquaculture Alliance s (GAA) Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP). It is a comprehensive set of standards that guide farming operations towards environmentally and socially responsible practices. The BAP practices are provided as Appendix C to this Sea Cage Operational Plan. The BAP standards are consistent with measures recognized by the Washington Department of Ecology s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 14