Efficient Fish Waste Incineration at Remote Salmon Farm in British Columbia

The Challenge: Eco-Friendly Disposal of Culled Fish in Remote Aquaculture Sites

Mowi, a global leader in sustainable salmon farming, operates a remote processing facility off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The site faced a growing challenge: how to safely, legally, and efficiently dispose of culled fish—small salmon (avg. 50g with 80% water content) removed from the population due to downgrades or health protocols during vaccination.

Given the daily processing volume of up to 1,000 kg of fish waste, Mowi needed a reliable fish incineration solution that could perform under remote and often harsh coastal conditions.

The Solution: Addfield Thunder 500 Incinerator for Fish Waste Management

To meet their needs, Mowi implemented the Addfield Thunder 500, a diesel-fueled, top-loading incinerator purpose-built for the aquaculture and seafood processing industry. Key features that made the Thunder 500 the ideal choice include:

• Robust Performance: Capable of incinerating up to 500 kg per batch, perfect for medium- to large-scale fish farms.
  
  
• Efficient Combustion: Sloped refractory floor and raised burners ensure optimal flame penetration, enhancing burn quality and reducing operational time.
  
  
• Compact & Durable Design: Engineered from corrosion-resistant materials, the unit withstands coastal weather and salt exposure—ideal for both land and barge-mounted installations.
  
  
• Biosecure Waste Handling: Enclosed chamber prevents odors and exposure until incineration begins, eliminating health and environmental risks.
  
  

Why Fish Waste Incineration Is Essential in Aquaculture Operations

Proper fish waste disposal isn’t just a best practice—it’s a legal requirement. Culled fish fall under Category 1 animal by-products, which must be disposed of through incineration or pressure sterilization. This prevents environmental contamination and aligns with strict biosecurity standards in the aquaculture industry.

Without incineration:

• Odor pollution from decomposing fish becomes a major issue.
  
  
• Disposing of waste in the ocean poses disease transmission and contamination risks.
  
  
• Non-compliance with regulations can lead to fines and shutdowns.

The Addfield Thunder 500 delivers a virtually smokeless, odor-free operation, ensuring full compliance with Canadian environmental and biosecurity regulations.

Results: Sustainable, Compliant, and Low-Impact Fish Waste Disposal

With the installation of the Thunder 500, Mowi achieved:

• On-site, low-maintenance fish waste disposal
  
  
• Reduced transportation and storage costs
  
  
• Improved environmental compliance
  
  
• Safe and hygienic operations for workers and surrounding ecosystems
  
  

This case exemplifies how modern aquaculture incinerators can support remote seafood processors in maintaining sustainable, efficient, and legally compliant waste management practices.