The facility is the first of its kind in the Southern         Hemisphere and will enable collaborative research on the health and nutrition of Atlantic salmon, aimed at supporting growth and sustainability in the aquaculture industry.

A percentage of the new arrivals were carefully weighed and measured to allow monitoring of growth rates and feeding.  The facility will support the development of different types of feed which optimise the use of marine ingredients, can be used to supply health treatments, and produce efficient growth over a range of temperatures.

Tasmania's salmon farming is by far the largest aquaculture industry in Australia and accounts for the bulk of seafood production in Tasmania.

The facility uses recirculation aquaculture systems, 12 tanks of 7000 litres, 12 tanks of 2500 litres and two stock tanks of 13 000 litres.  The site will undergo a six-month commissioning phase to test the holding capacity of the systems and temperature tolerances, and to identify any problems.  In April 2016 the first industry research will start with IMAS's industry partners Huon Aquaculture and Skretting Australia.

Professor Chris Carter (left), Head of the IMAS Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre, with PhD student Waldo Nuez Ortin and one of the new residents.

EAF Project Manager Simon Palmer recording measurements and no doubt wondering whether he should have insisted on a roof!

EAF Manager Polly Hilder monitoring water quality and the health of the salmon during the transfer process.