Welcome   Sponsored By
Subscribe | Register | Advertise | Newsletter | About us | Contact us
   


The purpose of the operation is, in the 1st phase, to establish a Sustainable Aquaculture Center at the Vodomec d.o.o. plant in Zalog

Slovenian fish farms get greener

SLOVENIA
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 06:50 (GMT + 9)

A plan to make a Slovenian trout farm self-sufficient in renewable energy has become a model of water use, waste management, biodiversity, and social engagement. 

A plan to make a Slovenian trout farm self-sufficient in renewable energy has become a model of water use, waste management, biodiversity, and social engagement. 

Thanks to EU funding and the involvement of other local businesses, the initial idea of of installing solar panels has turned into an example of fish farmers working together to build resilience in a region that is starting to suffer seriously from climate change.

Information board in the “honey garden” at the fish farm entrance ©Lidija Šnut

Investing in renewable energy

The Gorenjska region of Slovenia is a great place to farm trout, with plentiful supplies of clean, cold water from the mountains that extend north to the Austrian border. At least until drought and decreasing oxygen levels forced the trout farm Vodomec d.o.o., in the village of Zalog pri Cerkljah, to close several of its pools in 2021 and 2022. In summer 2023, devastating floods washed away most of the farm’s stock.

In business since 1964, the new reality of climate change was a shock for the operator of the Zalog site. It became clear that it would increasingly have to rely on artificial aeration for rainbow trout to survive future high temperatures and water shortages. This in turn would increase the farm’s electricity demand, at a time when power prices were already very high. Solar power would offer self-sufficiency, but the cost was beyond Vodomec's resources. 

However, thanks to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the company was able to invest in solar panels and an electric vehicule charging station. The involvement of the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) increased the regional scope, and resulted in a shining example of resource conservation, biodiversity expansion and local engagement.

Energy audits and innovative waste management

While renewable energy was the project’s primary focus, energy audits across six trout farms in the FLAG area helped cut the load on conventional power stations. At Zalog, for instance, an energy-efficient cold store replaced individual fridges. In parallel, water audits help all the FLAG’s fish farms handle low summer flows.

Aerator

The project also tackled fish gutting and filleting waste, by installing a waste dehydrator. It extracts up to 80% of the water, greatly reducing the volume handed over to specialised waste management companies.

The project is in line with the Energy Transition Partnership for fisheries and aquaculture at the which aims to achieve a climate-neutral sector by 2050.

Biodiversity and the social dimension

Impressive as the technical developments were, the project partners had wider aims. The project created employment, and Zalog is now a training centre for sustainable fish farming and has expanded its role as a teaching site for veterinary students from the University of Ljubljana.

As Janez Vidmar (Director of Vodomec d.o.o.) explains: “Before the project we didn’t pay attention to the local area and community – we simply did not think it was very important. Now we know that communication with the local community and the networks in the area are very valuable. The educational and awareness-raising activities take a lot of work, but also provide good opportunities for promotion as well as feedback.”

To raise awareness of biodiversity and sustainability, the Zalog fish farms set up a “honey garden” with nectar-rich plants and shelters for insects, which are popular with local children. Through educational workshops and information boards fish farmers informed local people about sustainability and biodiversity. One local retirement home resident was so fascinated by sustainable fish farming that she persuaded the national TV station to make a programme about it.

Teaching the local schoolchildren about fish © Miha Štular ==>

In an area with little tradition of eating fish, some locals had no idea that there were fish farms on their doorsteps. The project’s activities have started discussions on healthy eating as well as broader environmental questions.

The 2023 floods were so destructive that things will not be back to normal for the region’s fish farmers for at least two years. EMFF support though, especially through Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) , has helped local businesses to survive and fostered support from local residents and cohesion across the region’s aquaculture businesses. 

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media


 Print


Click to know how to advertise in FIS
MORE NEWS
Russian Federation
Jul 16, 03:00 (GMT + 9):
Far East Salmon Fishery Kicks Off Strong, Exceeding Previous Years' Catches
European Union
Jul 16, 02:00 (GMT + 9):
EU and Iceland Forge Stronger Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management
Viet Nam
Jul 16, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Vietnam's Pangasius Industry Faces Inevitable Shift: Deep Processing Becomes Key to Survival Amidst Tariffs
Singapore
Jul 15, 23:00 (GMT + 9):
IN BRIEF - Update on Restructuring: Approval of Scheme of Arrangement
Worldwide
Jul 15, 23:00 (GMT + 9):
IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIS - Fish Info & Services Co.Ltd | SeafoodMediaGroup
United States
Jul 15, 06:30 (GMT + 9):
US Shrimp Imports Surge Amidst Tariff Uncertainty: A Deceptive Boom for Exporters?
New Zealand
Jul 15, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
Seafood New Zealand Alerts Public: Greenpeace Tactics Pose Safety Risks to Fishers
Argentina
Jul 15, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
Crisis in Argentina's Shrimp Fishery: Freezer Fleet on the Ropes Amid Wage Dispute
United Kingdom
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Nominations Open for Prestigious MSC And ASC Sustainable Seafood Awards 2025
Japan
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Mitsubishi Leads Global Tuna Market Towards Sustainability with Stricter Sourcing Rules
Viet Nam
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Global Tuna Market Set for Transformation in 2025: Sustainability, Transparency Drive New Era
Brazil
Jul 15, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Trump's 50% Tariff Halts Brazilian Fish Exports, Sparks
Chile
Jul 15, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | aqua.cl: Multi X Obtains Two Innovative Patents That Boost Efficiency in Seawater Operations
Japan
Jul 15, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | SeafoodSource: Maruha Nichiro to open cultivated seafood restaurant as part of rebrand
United Kingdom
Jul 15, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | fishfarmingexpert: UK shoppers asked to pick their favourite ASC fish dish



Lenguaje
FEATURED EVENTS
  
TOP STORIES
Victory Farms Pioneers Sustainable Tilapia Farming in Africa, Joins ASC Improver Programme
Kenya Kenya's Victory Farms has become the first tilapia farm in Africa to join the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Improver Programme, marking a significant stride towards responsible seafood product...
(Peru's Giant Squid Dilemma: Balancing Conservation and Artisanal Fishing Traditions
Peru While PRODUCE pushes for science-based conservation measures for the giant squid (pota), the decision to implement a fishing ban is creating tension with artisanal fishermen, who see their traditional...
'Red Tuna' in the Grey Zone: Carbon Monoxide-Treated tuna Sparks Global Concern
Worldwide The alluring crimson hue of tuna in sushi and sashimi hides a practice blurring the line between marketing and fraud: carbon monoxide (CO) treatment. Legal in some places but banned in others — ...
Multus and Fishway Partner to Scale Cultivated Fish Production, Addressing Global Seafood Shortfall
Belgium In a strategic move to tackle the growing demand for sustainable seafood, Fishway and Multus Biotechnology have announced a partnership to accelerate the development of cost-effective, cultivated fish...
 

Umios Corporation | Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Nichirei Corporation - Headquarters
Pesquera El Golfo S.A.
Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A
Wärtsilä Corporation - Wartsila Group Headquarters
ITOCHU Corporation - Headquarters
BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH+Co.KG (Head Office)
Inmarsat plc - Global Headquarters
Marks & Spencer
Tesco PLC (Supermarket) - Headquarters
Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd. - Group Headquarters
I&J - Irvin & Johnson Holding Company (Pty) Ltd.
AquaChile S.A. - Group Headquarters
Pesquera San Jose S.A.
Nutreco N.V. - Head Office
CNFC China National Fisheries Corporation - Group Headquarters
W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V.
SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters
Icicle Seafoods, Inc
Starkist Seafood Co. - Headquearters
Trident Seafoods Corp.
American Seafoods Group LLC - Head Office
Marel - Group Headquarters
SalMar ASA - Group Headquarters
Sajo Industries Co., Ltd
Hansung Enterprise Co.,Ltd.
BIM - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (An Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
COPEINCA ASA - Corporacion Pesquera Inca S.A.C.
Chun Cheng Fishery Enterprise Pte Ltd.
VASEP - Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers
Gomes da Costa
Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
NISSUI - Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. - Group Headquarters
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization - Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Headquarter)
Hagoromo Foods Co., Ltd.
Koden Electronics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S - Headquarters
BVQI - Bureau Veritas Quality International (Head Office)
UPS - United Parcel Service, Inc. - Headquarters
Brim ehf (formerly HB Grandi Ltd) - Headquarters
Hamburg Süd Group - (Headquearters)
Armadora Pereira S.A. - Grupo Pereira Headquarters
Costa Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Headquarters)
Mowi ASA (formerly Marine Harvest ASA) - Headquarters
Marubeni Europe Plc -UK-
Findus Ltd
Icom Inc. (Headquarter)
WWF Centroamerica
Oceana Group Limited
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. - Headquarters
Friosur S.A. - Headquarters
Cargill, Incorporated - Global Headquarters
Benihana Inc.
Leardini Pescados Ltda
CJ Corporation  - Group Headquarters
Greenpeace International - The Netherlands | Headquarters
David Suzuki Foundation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada -Communications Branch-
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd - Headquarters
NOREBO Group (former Ocean Trawlers Group)
Natori Co., Ltd.
Carrefour Supermarket - Headquarters
FedEx Corporation - Headquarters
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Group Headquarters
AKBM - Aker BioMarine ASA
Seafood Choices Alliance -Headquarter-
Austevoll Seafood ASA
Walmart | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supermarket) - Headquarters
New Japan Radio Co.Ltd (JRC) -Head Office-
Gulfstream JSC
Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide Headquarters
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Headquarter)
Genki Sushi Co.,Ltd -Headquarter-
Iceland Pelagic ehf
AXA Assistance Argentina S.A.
Caterpillar Inc. - Headquarters
Tiger Brands Limited
SeaChoice
National Geographic Society
AmazonFresh, LLC - AmazonFresh

Copyright 1995 - 2025 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved.   DISCLAIMER