Codlight-tech

Introduction
The project is a collaboration between SMEŐs and RTDŐs from Iceland, Scotland, Shetlands Islands, Norway and Sweden. The research project aim to develop new light system for cod ongrowing aquaculture which are characterised by lower running costs as compared to the standard metal halogen systems (40%-60% saving in energy) - the strategy is to use novel lighting technology to develop narrow bandwidth lighting systems, specifically targeting the wavelengths which are most efficient at penetrating the water column and ,for which fish are more sensitive, thus resulting in the expected biological response in the fish. The further aim is to implement these new lighting systems commercial set ups to optimise the cost/benefit for farmers. These new lighting systems are based on a variety of lighting technologies: Cold Cathode Light Tubes (CCL), Hot Cathode Light tubes (HCL) and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDŐs). The commercial end product - the CCL lighting system - will be based on refinement of production cost and biological performance.

This new technology will be tested in a range of commercial cod farms reflecting the diverse nature (latitude and systems) of the EU cod farming industry. Furthermore, a simple analytical maturation detection kit will be developed allowing real time on site detection of sexual maturation activity. A comparison will also be made between a standard manual assessment of growth perfromances (length-weight) and the use of a passive measuring system for growth assessment. A basic standardised flesh quality scheme, in relation to lighting regimes will also be developed in the project. As a whole this proposal represents a number of key fundamental innovations and developments to help the cod farming industry to address one of their main bottlenecks, early maturation.

Objectives of the CODLIGHT-TECH project
The overall aim of this project is to develop and test a number of key innovative technologies/tools that will improve the existing production performances, as well as on farm management of Atlantic cod. The project is therefore centred on a large scale comparative study which will demonstrate the efficacy of a novel energy saving lighting system, to control maturation and improve growth performance. To support this work a number of ancillary deliverables are included which will provide tools and additional information. These will both help ensure the optimal design and analysis of the main study, and thereafter also be used as an innovative resources by themselves that will be available to the industry for future independent developments. Some of the main objectives are listed below:

• Improving the technological basis for managing early maturity in cod mariculture using new developments in photoperiod manipulation (lighting, light system arrangement and spectra of the lights used) in sea-pens for cod. The objective is to provide a system which allow close to 100% maturation suppression within the production cycle, either by preventing or delaying maturation. The objective is furthermore to increase cost efficiency by lowering energy requirements compared to standard metal halogen lighting systems.
• Strengthening the scientific understanding of biological parameters involved in the early maturation and to develop and validate a maturation detection kit.
• Field validation of light treatment (photoperiod management) in commercial on-growing, the on survival, maturation, and growth performance of the cod. A quality scheme for cod farming generated from monitoring quality changes of the fish in the commercial field validation trials.
• The results from the project will deliver new tools, protocols and quality schemes that should enable the cod mariculture industry to improve their economical situation, while improving the welfare of the aquaculture cod as increased mortality has been observed during spawning of the fish.

The outcomes of this work are expected to have direct implications not only for fish farmed for food, but also for the potential impact of aquaculture on wild populations of cod.