The aquaculture industry is in a state of transformation. Stricter environmental regulations, disease management challenges, and shifting consumer expectations are pushing fish farmers around the world to rethink open-net pen farming. Closed-containment systems are now emerging as a forward-thinking solution that offers better control, improved fish health, and stronger environmental outcomes.
Global Regulatory Shifts
In June 2024, the Canadian government confirmed that all open-net pen salmon farming in British Columbia will be phased out by June 2029. The move is part of a broader strategy to protect wild salmon populations and transition the industry toward sustainable technologies like closed and land-based systems.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting elsewhere. In Chile, lawmakers are proposing legislation that would require salmon producers to remove sediment from farm sites to reduce seabed pollution and improve compliance with sustainability targets.
In the UK, the Loch Long Salmon project recently received approval for Scotland’s first semi-closed containment farm, which is designed to significantly reduce environmental impact and set a new standard for sustainable aquaculture practices
Why Closed Systems?
1. Biosecurity & Fish Health
By isolating farmed fish from parasite-rich surface waters and drawing water from deeper, cooler layers, closed-containment systems dramatically reduce exposure to sea lice and marine pathogens. This approach has already shown reductions in chemical treatments and mortality rates in early-stage deployments (Global Seafood Alliance).
2. Environmental Impact
Unlike open-net pens, closed systems capture fish waste and feed residue, preventing seabed pollution and nutrient buildup in fjords—an issue often cited by environmental regulators and NGOs. Studies have confirmed that these systems can significantly reduce benthic degradation (MedCrave Journal of Aquaculture & Marine Biology).
3. Operational Control
With better control over temperature, oxygen saturation, and CO₂ levels, farmers can maintain ideal growth conditions year-round. UV-treated filtration and oxygen injection technologies are often integrated to maintain water quality and increase stocking density.
The Economics of Containment
While the capital investment for closed-containment systems is higher, operational costs are often comparable to traditional open-net pens over time. One study comparing land-based RAS systems and open pens found operating costs to be nearly equivalent—$4.30/kg vs. $4.37/kg—when excluding depreciation and financing costs.
When you also consider lower mortality, fewer treatment costs, and improved survival rates, closed systems may provide better long-term profitability, especially in regions with strong sustainability premiums or regulatory incentives.
Case in Point: Aquafarm’s System
Aquafarm Equipment’s system is a floating semi-closed-containment cage built from fiberglass-reinforced plastic and designed to perform in exposed coastal and offshore environments. It combines deep-water intake, UV filtration, and robust modular design to help farmers meet rising environmental and operational demands.
The Neptune system is already being deployed in projects like NEOM in Saudi Arabia (hyperlink), where scalable, low-impact aquaculture solutions are key to achieving food security goals under extreme environmental conditions.
As aquaculture faces increasing scrutiny – from regulators, investors, and consumers – closed-containment systems are no longer just a theoretical option. They are an actionable, future-ready solution for operators seeking growth through control, sustainability, and compliance.