Division of Aquaculture

Department of Animal Sciences

TILAPIA PILOT PROJECT: BIOFLOC TECHNOLOGY

Henk Stander hbs@sun.ac.za

Picture: Dr Michelle Burford

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Contents:

1) What is biofloc?

2) How does biofloc technology work?

3) What are the benefits?

4) Who is STORVIK Biofloc AS?

5) The history of this project

6) Project rationale

7) Pilot project design

8) Project site

9) Timelines

10) Markets

11) Challenges

12) Research and publications

13) Lessons learned

14) Conclusion

1. What is biofloc?

• Bioflocs are conglomerates of microbes, algae, protozoa and

others, together with detritus, and dead organic particles.

• The biofloc is a unique ecosystem of rich and potent particles

suspended in relatively poor water.

• Bioflocs found in ponds are porous, light and have a diameter of

0.1 mm to a few mm.

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2. How does biofloc technology work?

• Biofloc technology developed as a consequence of the development

of permanently mixed and aerated ponds, systems resembling bio-

technological plants and maximizing the potential of microbial

processes.

• Biofloc systems spread as a consequence of the restriction of water

exchange due to costs and environmental regulation and as a means

to provide bio secure systems to minimize disease, especially viral

disease of shrimp.

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3. What are the benefits?

Advantages:

• Increased food and nitrogen conversion.

• Reduced water consumption, waste production and treatment.

• Simplification and cost reduction of facility design.

• Improved environmental control and pathogen biosecurity.

Disadvantages:

• Conditioning time for system start up (couple of weeks).

• Oxygen consumption of biofloc.

• Energy requirements for maintaining biofloc in suspension.

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4. Who is STORVIK Biofloc AS?

• STORVIK Biofloc AS is a subsidiary company of STORVIK Holdings

• The main company goes back to 1913 when Nils Storvik built a small

smithy that he operated in addition to his farm

• Storvik Holdings is today a leading mechanical and engineering

company

• Head office in Sunndalsøra

• Approximately 85 employees

• Storvik well-established in Czech Republic, Russia, Spain and Iceland

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STORVIK Biofloc AS

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AkvaVision – Biomass estimator

VitaDiTM

5. The history of this project:

9 LOI signed 7/03/2011 Stellenbosch Research contract signed 1/09/2011 Oslo

6. Project rationale:

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7. Pilot project design:

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8. Project site:

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US Mariendahl Experimental Farm, 15 km outside Stellenbosch towards Paarl

9. Timelines:

Introduction March 2011

Scoping June 2011

Authorization April 2016

Construction January 2017

Completion June 2017

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Process approximately 7.5 years!

10. Markets:

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11. Challenges:

1. Project Funding

2. Local Climate Conditions

3. Cheap Imports

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11. Challenges – Climate:

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Latitude:

30°S

1 000 m3

TAASA

± 250 ton

tilapia per

annum in

SA

11. Challenges – Imports:

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Chicken:

R24.50 – R124.99/kg

Hake:

R44.95 – R168.99/kg

Tilapia:

R29.99 – R159.99/kg

Quality makes the difference!

12. Research and publications:

18 Aquaculture International (2016) 24: 1309-1322AASA Conference 2015

13. Lessons learned:

• These kind of collaborations takes time, much more than

was anticipated

• If funding was in place from day 1, the process could have

run much smoother

• You need continuity of staff to drive a project to the end

• Perseverance, persistence, determination, grit, motivation

are all key words

• Good working relationships, confidence and trust in one

another are all important characteristics

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14. Conclusion:

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