Ocean Monitoring System Technology
Discover cutting-edge solutions from 5 leading global suppliers
In the aquaculture industry, the ability to measure and understand the marine environment is essential for optimizing operations and meeting regulatory requirements. Nortek provides technological solutions for current monitoring in Chile’s aquaculture sector, offering reliable and precise equipment designed for long-term use.
Nortek instruments are engineered for operation in demanding marine environments, delivering consistent and accurate data. The Doppler technology utilized ensures precise current measurements across varying marine conditions. The equipment is constructed for durability, withstanding prolonged immersion.
Additionally, the instruments integrate with real-time monitoring systems and analytical software. Nortek also provides technical support globally and within South America.
AWAC: Accurate Current and Wave Measurements for R.EX. 1821/3362 SUBPESCA
The AWAC is an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) designed for current and wave measurements at different depths. It meets the requirements of R.EX. 1821 SUBPESCA, which mandates environmental impact assessments based on hydrodynamic data. The AWAC measures currents and waves simultaneously, has a wave measurement range of up to 100 meters, and maintains high temporal and spatial resolution while withstanding challenging marine conditions.
Signature Series
Tekfish buoy equipped with a Signature 250 ADCP.
The Signature series provides high-resolution oceanographic data and integrates additional research tools for turbulence, sediments, and plankton migrations.
This series operates with low power consumption, enabling extended deployments. Its durable construction withstands extreme marine conditions, while integrated AHRS sensors adjust for buoy motion to maintain measurement accuracy.
The instruments measure multiple parameters, including currents, waves, turbulence, and biomass.
Aquadopp Series: Real-Time Monitoring for Fish Feeding and Oxygen Systems
The Aquadopp is a compact Doppler profiler, manufactured to enable continuous real-time current monitoring, making it an essential tool for fine-tuning feeding and oxygen injection systems in salmon farms.
Key features of the Aquadopp include:
- Compact design: Suitable for installation in cages or floating structures.
- Real-time data transmission: Provides continuous operational data.
- Energy efficiency: Low power consumption extends deployment duration.
- High accuracy: Measures current speed and direction precisely.
- High resolution in upper layers: Z-Cell technology eliminates blind zones, enhancing surface data accuracy.
Nortek instruments, including the AWAC, Signature, and Aquadopp, provide aquaculture companies with tools to support oceanographic data collection, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
Marine Current Monitoring in Aquaculture Operations
Chile is one of the world’s leading producers of salmon, and its aquaculture industry operates within diverse geographic and environmental conditions. Marine currents influence water quality, oxygenation, and nutrient distribution, making accurate current monitoring a critical aspect of production efficiency, fish welfare, and regulatory compliance.
The Importance of Marine Current Measurements in Aquaculture
- Food and waste dispersion: Currents affect feed distribution within cages and the movement of waste, impacting environmental management.
- Oxygen flow: Currents facilitate oxygen exchange, which is necessary for fish health.
- Control of environmental conditions: Monitoring currents assists in identifying conditions such as organic matter accumulation and hypoxic zones.
The structural design of aquaculture facilities depends on accurate marine current assessments. Currents influence hydrodynamic forces acting on cages, nets, mooring lines, and anchoring systems. Insufficient assessment can compromise structural integrity and operational safety.
In the fjords and channels of Chilean Patagonia, oceanographic conditions vary significantly based on tide, depth, and geography, necessitating current monitoring during design and operation.
Real-Time Current Monitoring
Dissolved oxygen levels influence salmon growth and survival, and marine currents regulate water exchange within cages. Areas with low water turnover can experience reduced oxygen levels, increasing fish stress and reducing growth rates.
Research in Norway has shown that continuous current monitoring improves oxygenation in open cage systems, particularly in high-density areas. Studies in Chile indicate that moderate, stable currents contribute to oxygen stability, leading to lower mortality rates and higher production efficiency.
Feed represents up to 60% of operational costs in aquaculture. Real-time current monitoring supports optimized feeding strategies, minimizing waste and improving feed uptake efficiency. Precise current data also enhances feeding schedules and conversion rates, ensuring more effective resource utilization.
Key Considerations in Mooring Engineering
AWAC 400 kHz on a subsurface buoy as used by Chilean company NAZCA for compliance with Chilean regulations.
- Structural safety
A design based on accurate current data reduces the risk of accidents, such as cage displacement or structural failure. - Environmental sustainability
Safe and stable anchoring minimizes the impact on the seabed, avoiding damage to benthic ecosystems. - Economic efficiency
Accurate and optimized designs reduce costs associated with structural oversizing, maintenance, repairs and replacement of damaged equipment.
Regulatory Compliance in Chile’s Aquaculture Industry
Chile’s aquaculture sector operates under strict environmental and operational regulations. Current monitoring plays a role in regulatory compliance, production management, and environmental impact mitigation. The Subsecretaría de Pesca y Acuicultura (SUBPESCA) enforces key regulations related to hydrodynamic data collection for aquaculture facilities.
Tekfish buoy with Signature 250 installed.
R.EX. 1821/3362:
This regulation sets requirements for hydrodynamic measurements to inform the structural design of aquaculture operations. Accurate current data assists in determining structural load capacity, selecting suitable materials, sizing anchors, and preventing movement that could lead to environmental or economic consequences.
R.EX. 3408:
This resolution establishes environmental monitoring parameters for sustainable aquaculture operations. Current measurements support:
- Identifying optimal locations with sufficient water flow to prevent waste accumulation.
- Adjusting operations to limit seabed impact and meet international environmental standards.
- Improving feed and waste management, reducing costs while enhancing efficiency.
- Developing a monitoring network to respond to temperature variations, hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, and current fluctuations.
Sustainability in Aquaculture Operations
Nortek’s instruments provide data to support sustainable aquaculture practices, assisting in reducing environmental impact, optimizing resource management, and improving operational performance. The adoption of monitoring technologies aligns with industry efforts to enhance sustainability and resilience.
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