Both developments enable the automation of the mortality extraction process, improving animal welfare standards and minimizing personnel exposure to risk.
In line with its commitment to more efficient and sustainable aquaculture, Multi X has patented two new innovations applied to seawater operations. These include an Integrated Mortality Extraction System and a valve that is essential to its operation, enabling the company to automate the removal of mortality from the cage to the ensilage system. This automation helps reduce critical safety-related tasks for those involved in these operations, while also supporting fish health and welfare.
With these additions, the company now holds a portfolio of five patents that are unique within the Chilean salmon farming industry: a machine for caligus treatments; two types of nets used at farming sites—one predator (sea lion) exclusion net and one fish containment net; and, most recently, the integrated mortality extraction system and its independently patented valve.
Patricio Zúñiga, Multi X’s Operations Manager, highlighted that “this new mortality extraction system simplifies a process that has historically been complex for the salmon farming industry. It represents not only an efficient and sustainable solution for us, but also for all companies that can now make use of it.”
Specifically, the system automatically transfers mortality from each cage to a barge equipped with a dedicated ensilage storage area. Its operation is straightforward, requiring only one person to operate it remotely. In addition, the system can be used at any time of day and under adverse weather conditions, thanks to its technological design.
“It is also important to note that the resources generated from both patents will be reinvested in sustainability projects in the southern regions of Chile where our operations are located. By making these innovations available to the industry, our goal is to help the entire sector move toward operations that coexist more harmoniously with the ecosystem,” Zúñiga explained.
