The jack-up barges at present utilized in oil and gasoline operations could quickly be upgraded and deployed off the coast of Scotland to service fish farms.

Dutch firm Jack-Up Barge (J-UB), alongside Norwegian aquaculture firm Roxel Aqua, is exploring the institution of reused oil rigs, geared up with feeding and harvesting services, on the middle farms to create an autonomous system.

It’s hoped that the thought, which has been known as Octopus, may present future use for rigs because the oil and gasoline trade evolves within the a long time to return.

By utilizing jack-up barges, submersible cages might be positioned in deeper water with greater currents, which minimizes the chance of fish being affected by lice and different infections.

J-UB mentioned the idea additionally has the potential to cut back the price of the fish as a result of the system “makes use of the surroundings as it’s” quite than counting on huge bills.

Roxel Aqua, the pilot behind the patented idea, goals to have a dozen submersible cages containing salmon and trout organized across the platform – they’d then be managed by a small crew on the platform.

Along with Scotland, a number of different potential websites are into consideration, together with Norway, the Canary Islands and Australia, permitting the breeding of various fish.

Jurgen de Prez, Industrial Director of J-UB, mentioned: “We’ve got the data and abilities to function an offshore jack-up, even beneath essentially the most troublesome circumstances. With a small crew and negligible funding, we are able to facilitate this strategy of feeding fish.

“As well as, if there’s {an electrical} connection, we don’t must burn hydrocarbons as a result of we’re absolutely electrified and produce our personal electrical energy. It’s a inexperienced technique to produce meals for the longer term. “

Sil de Rijke, Tendering Supervisor at J-UB, added: “Jack-up barges are nicely positioned for this sort of work as a result of they’ve the area to put in every kind of apparatus wanted for the job. feed and harvest. Cages will also be submerged from the platform in stormy climate to guard fish from harm. “

“The truth that it will probably function autonomously implies that there is no such thing as a want for different vessels to repeatedly preserve the sphere.”

Roxel Aqua, headquartered in Stavanger, was shot within the arm final week after the Norwegian Ministry of Commerce and Trade conditionally accredited the idea, after initially rejecting it.

The agency now has till September to exhibit that the thought might be exploited in “uncovered climate circumstances”.

Based on the Scottish Authorities, aquaculture produces ‘Scotland’s most precious meals export’, with Atlantic salmon farming forming the spine of the trade.

Mr de Prez mentioned the Octopus resolution would provide a extra sustainable strategy to fishing, including that the economics of the idea appeared “very favorable”.

He added: “Right here within the Netherlands the demand for meat is reducing and individuals are diversifying their weight loss plan, which suggests consuming extra fish.

“The quantity of people that should be fed is rising on a regular basis, so we have to discover one other manner to supply fish, quite than simply draining the seas.”