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Description
The project aims to develop a portfolio of innovative plastic tools and instruments for ostriculture, with a view to presenting a comprehensive solution (turnkey, including customer support service) for national and European oyster farmers.
These tools and instruments include oyster cylinders; cable and network fasteners; other materials to support ostriculture. Sustainable (recycled plastics) and innovative (anti-fouling composites) materials will be introduced, and the implementation of RFID systems will be tested.
The main objective of the project is to create a European reference line of products for ostriculture.
The main actions to be developed, within the scope of the Ergomarine project, are:
1) Benchmarking and market research of products for ostriculture;
2) Design and development of new Ergomarine solutions for ostriculture (including prototypes);
3) Research and development of new materials (i.e. recycled plastics, innovative composites) and technologies (i.e. RFID) to be incorporated in Ergomarine solutions;
4) Development of commercial Ergomarine solutions (including production molds);
5) Commercialization and Marketing of the new Ergomarine solutions, and associated services.
Summary of project results
Aquaculture, in particular oyster farming, is an important sustainable activity in the Blue Economy, with enormous growth potential.
The work is hard: heavy loads, difficult to handle, a "wet" environment, sometimes cold, depending on the tidal cycles, requiring a lot of physical effort, and quickly deteriorating the health of the aquaculture producers.
The mission of the Ergomarine project was to develop solutions that contribute to significantly increase productivity in oyster farming through innovative, disruptive solutions. It is intended to put an end to improvisations and empiricism in oyster farming on the way to a greater industrialization of this activity.
Throughout the implementation of the project, was verified that it can promote and build bridges of articulation between the products, the scientific community, industry and government institutions. This project made it possible to create ties with various stakeholders, compiling a set of rules that we practice today and that guide this project: the Ergomarine Concept, with the aim of putting an end to business as usual and moving from empirical to industrial.
The Ergomarine cages, made of HDPE prime, are supplied as a kit. They are easy to assemble, transport and install. In them it is possible to install one or more Ergomarine floats, for tidal or raft cultures. They can also be disassembled for repair or recycling. At the same time, fastening kits are provided to suspend the cultivation cages.
Biofouling is one of the main causes of mortality in bivalves by clogging the passage of water and nutrients. Ergomarine systems, with a hexagonal mesh, reduce clogging, having a lower plastic density per m2 than the square mesh. Comparative studies carried out by CIIMAR have led to above-average growth rates, reduced or almost zero mortality, high meat ratio (AFNOR) and better shaped oysters (Imai-Skai index).
When Ergomarine products reach the end of their useful life (maximum estimated at 7 years), they will be collected, recycled, and replaced by new equipment that is certainly more advanced.
Even though the project ended in March 2023, we continue to develop new products and new forms of oyster farming that are even more ergonomic and more productive for future applications. The Ergomarine concept is a benchmark of values that will contribute to strengthening the fish and aquaculture sector in Portugal, as well as internationally. This is our commitment and our vocation.