Farming Atlantic Salmon in Chile

Until 2007, Chile belonged to the largest exporters of salmon in the world. After the outbreak of the salmon virus in 2007 and the financial crisis in 2008, the industry dropped to an all-time low. Atlantic salmon production fell from 400.000 t to 100.000 t per year. From that low, salmon exports have improved greatly, in line with the growing demand for salmon worldwide. The Chilean government has instituted strict regulations on the way aquaculture companies maintain their underwater cages and the associated mooring arrangements. Each cage that holds fish is connected to multiple weights on the bottom of the ocean and to floating buoys via ropes and/or steel chains. The connections between the ropes, chains, buoys and weights are made with Green Pin^® Bow Shackles SC. The reliability and certifications of Green Pin^® shackles have made it the top choice among fish farmers in Chile.

Fish-farming cages are designed with different dimensions and capacities. The securing system is always similar, however. The number and sizes of Green Pin^® Shackles that are used can also differ per size of the cage. For the project shown in the photos, 18 Green Pin^® shackles were typically used per securing line. The salmon cage consists of 16 individual basins with a size of approximately 20 x 20 meters (65 x 65 ft.) per basin.

As a result, this particular project has hundreds of connections that are made securely with Green Pin^® Shackles. The connections will have to be secure for a long period of time while under harsh conditions. Exactly how long depends on the type of fish that is cultivated. Atlantic salmon, for example, grows from 600 grams (1.3 lbs) to 6 kilograms (13 lbs) in 18-24 months. After that period, the cage is lifted out of the water and all of its components are cleaned and inspected for possible re-use. Even after a long period in salty seawater, the quality of Green Pin^® Shackles is clear due to their continued reliability and ease of use.