Aquaculture Engineering in New Brunswick

The Growth of Aquaculture Engineering in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has emerged as one of Canada's most significant aquaculture regions, with the industry contributing over $500 million annually to the provincial economy. The Bay of Fundy, with its exceptional tidal ranges and nutrient-rich waters, provides ideal conditions for salmon farming, while the province's inland waterways support diverse freshwater operations. This remarkable growth has created unprecedented demand for specialized engineering services that can address the unique challenges of aquaculture infrastructure in Maritime Canada.

Professional engineering firms serving the Atlantic Canada region must understand the complex interplay between marine environments, biological systems, and structural requirements that define modern aquaculture operations. From site assessment and environmental permitting to facility design and operational optimization, aquaculture engineering encompasses a broad spectrum of technical disciplines that require both specialized knowledge and regional expertise.

Site Assessment and Environmental Engineering Considerations

Before any aquaculture facility can be developed in New Brunswick, comprehensive site assessment must be conducted to evaluate environmental conditions, regulatory compliance requirements, and long-term operational viability. This process involves detailed analysis of multiple factors that directly influence facility design and performance.

Oceanographic and Hydrological Studies

New Brunswick's coastal waters present unique engineering challenges due to the Bay of Fundy's extreme tidal variations, which can exceed 12 metres in some locations. Engineers must analyse:

• Current velocities and flow patterns throughout tidal cycles

• Wave exposure and storm surge potential

• Water temperature profiles across seasonal variations

• Dissolved oxygen concentrations and nutrient loading

• Sediment transport dynamics and seabed stability

• Ice formation patterns and freeze-up duration

Advanced computational fluid dynamics modelling allows engineers to predict how aquaculture structures will interact with local hydrodynamics, ensuring adequate water exchange for fish health while minimizing environmental impacts. These models typically incorporate bathymetric data, tidal harmonics, and seasonal variations to provide year-round performance predictions.

Geotechnical Investigations

Seabed conditions in New Brunswick vary considerably, from the rocky substrates common along the Fundy coast to the softer sediments found in sheltered embayments. Geotechnical engineering assessments for aquaculture installations typically include:

• Sediment sampling and laboratory analysis for bearing capacity

• Sub-bottom profiling to identify bedrock depth and soil stratification

• Anchor holding capacity testing for mooring system design

• Scour potential evaluation around fixed structures

For land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), traditional geotechnical investigations assess soil bearing capacity, groundwater conditions, and foundation requirements for processing buildings and tank farms that may exceed 10,000 square metres in footprint.

Marine Cage Systems and Offshore Engineering

The majority of New Brunswick's salmon production occurs in marine net-pen systems, which require sophisticated engineering to withstand the challenging conditions of the Bay of Fundy while maintaining optimal growing environments for fish.

Cage and Mooring System Design

Modern aquaculture cages in New Brunswick typically range from 100 to 200 metres in circumference, with depths of 15 to 25 metres depending on site conditions. Engineering considerations for these systems include:

• Structural analysis of cage collars for wave loading up to 6-metre significant wave heights

• Net tensioning systems capable of maintaining shape in currents exceeding 1.5 metres per second

• Mooring grid designs with safety factors of 2.0 or greater for extreme weather events

• Anchor selection and placement based on geotechnical conditions

• Service vessel access and personnel safety requirements

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has become the standard material for cage collars in Atlantic Canada, offering excellent durability in cold water conditions and resistance to UV degradation. Engineering specifications typically require minimum pipe wall thicknesses of 30 millimetres for outer collar rings, with welded connections meeting CSA standards for plastic piping systems.

Offshore Platform and Feed System Engineering

Feed barges and service platforms represent critical infrastructure components that must be engineered for year-round operation in Maritime conditions. These floating structures typically incorporate:

• Feed storage capacity of 200 to 500 tonnes with climate-controlled silos

• Automated feeding systems with camera monitoring and feed rate optimization

• Crew accommodation meeting Transport Canada Marine Safety standards

• Electrical generation and distribution systems with redundancy provisions

• Mooring systems integrated with cage arrays

Engineering design must account for stability during feed loading operations, often conducted via purpose-built feed carriers, and ensure adequate freeboard is maintained throughout operational conditions.

Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Recirculating aquaculture systems represent a growing segment of New Brunswick's aquaculture sector, offering year-round production capability independent of marine conditions. These facilities require intensive engineering across multiple disciplines.

Water Treatment System Design

RAS facilities must maintain precise water quality parameters while minimizing water consumption and energy costs. Engineering specifications for commercial-scale systems typically include:

• Mechanical filtration capable of removing particles to 40 microns

• Biological filtration with nitrification capacity of 0.5 to 1.0 kilograms of ammonia per cubic metre of media per day

• Oxygenation systems maintaining dissolved oxygen levels of 8 to 12 milligrams per litre

• UV disinfection providing minimum dosages of 40 millijoules per square centimetre

• Temperature control systems accurate to ±0.5 degrees Celsius

• pH adjustment and alkalinity management through automated dosing

Water recirculation rates in modern facilities typically achieve 95 to 99 percent, with makeup water requirements of less than 500 litres per kilogram of fish produced. This efficiency is particularly valuable in New Brunswick, where groundwater quality and availability vary significantly across regions.

Building and Infrastructure Engineering

RAS facility buildings must accommodate unique structural and environmental requirements, including:

• High internal humidity levels requiring specialized ventilation and corrosion-resistant materials

• Concrete tank structures capable of withstanding hydrostatic pressures from tanks exceeding 5 metres in depth

• Heavy floor loading from water volumes that may exceed 10,000 cubic metres in production areas

• Electrical systems with emergency backup power for life support functions

• Process piping systems handling flow rates of 10,000 litres per minute or greater

Foundation design for RAS facilities in New Brunswick must account for the province's variable soil conditions and frost penetration depths, which typically range from 1.2 to 1.8 metres depending on location.

Processing Facility Engineering

Aquaculture processing facilities in New Brunswick transform harvested fish into market-ready products, requiring specialized engineering for food safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Process Flow and Building Design

Modern processing facilities incorporate strict separation between different processing zones to maintain food safety standards. Engineering considerations include:

• Temperature-controlled receiving areas maintained at 4 degrees Celsius or below

• Processing line layouts optimizing product flow while minimizing cross-contamination risk

• Refrigeration system capacity for blast freezing at temperatures of -35 degrees Celsius

• Wastewater treatment systems meeting provincial discharge requirements

• Byproduct handling and rendering systems for sustainable waste management

Processing buildings typically require reinforced concrete floors with chemical-resistant coatings, stainless steel wall panels in processing areas, and HVAC systems capable of maintaining positive pressure differentials between processing zones.

Water and Wastewater Systems

Fish processing operations generate significant wastewater volumes with high organic loading. Engineering design must address:

• Process water supply systems providing potable water at rates of 500 to 1,000 litres per tonne of processed fish

• Preliminary treatment through screening and dissolved air flotation

• Biological treatment achieving BOD reduction of 90 percent or greater

• Nutrient removal to meet coastal discharge limits

• Sludge handling and beneficial reuse options

New Brunswick's environmental regulations require careful attention to discharge water quality, particularly for facilities located near sensitive shellfish growing areas or recreational waters.

Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Management

Aquaculture development in New Brunswick requires navigation of complex regulatory frameworks involving federal, provincial, and municipal authorities. Engineering documentation must satisfy multiple approval processes.

Environmental Assessment Requirements

Depending on project scale and location, aquaculture developments may require environmental assessments addressing:

• Interactions with wild fish populations and marine mammals

• Seabed impacts from organic deposition and anchoring systems

• Water quality effects on surrounding marine environments

• Navigation safety and conflicts with other marine users

• Emergency response planning for storm events or equipment failures

Professional engineers play crucial roles in preparing technical documentation, conducting impact modelling, and developing mitigation measures that satisfy regulatory requirements while maintaining project viability.

Aquaculture Licence and Lease Engineering Support

Applications for aquaculture licences in New Brunswick require detailed engineering drawings and specifications including:

• Site plans showing cage arrays, mooring systems, and exclusion zones

• Structural calculations for marine infrastructure

• Operational procedures for feeding, harvesting, and emergency response

• Environmental monitoring programmes with sampling protocols

Engineering firms familiar with New Brunswick's regulatory environment can significantly streamline the approval process by anticipating reviewer concerns and providing comprehensive technical documentation.

Emerging Technologies and Future Developments

The aquaculture industry in Atlantic Canada continues to evolve, with new technologies creating opportunities for improved efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced product quality.

Offshore and Exposed Site Development

Interest is growing in developing aquaculture sites in more exposed offshore locations, which offer improved water quality and reduced environmental interactions. Engineering challenges for these developments include:

• Submersible cage systems capable of operating at depths exceeding 20 metres

• Automated feeding and monitoring systems reducing vessel-based operations

• Mooring designs for extreme wave conditions with significant heights exceeding 10 metres

• Harvest systems functional in high-energy environments

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture

IMTA systems, which combine finfish culture with shellfish and seaweed production, offer opportunities for nutrient recycling and diversified revenue streams. Engineering for these systems requires understanding of:

• Spatial arrangements optimizing nutrient capture by extractive species

• Structural systems supporting multiple culture types

• Harvest logistics for diverse products

• Water quality monitoring across integrated systems

New Brunswick has been a leader in IMTA research and commercialization, with several integrated sites operating in the Bay of Fundy region.

Partner with Regional Engineering Expertise

Successful aquaculture development in New Brunswick requires engineering partners who understand both the technical complexities of marine and land-based systems and the unique conditions of Atlantic Canada. From initial site assessment through construction and ongoing operational support, professional engineering services provide the foundation for sustainable, profitable aquaculture operations.

Sangster Engineering Ltd. brings decades of experience serving the aquaculture and marine industries across Atlantic Canada. Based in Amherst, Nova Scotia, our team offers comprehensive engineering services for aquaculture projects throughout New Brunswick and the Maritime provinces. Whether you are planning a new marine site, expanding an existing operation, or developing a land-based RAS facility, we provide the technical expertise and regional knowledge essential for project success.

Contact Sangster Engineering Ltd. today to discuss your aquaculture engineering requirements. Our professional engineers are ready to help you navigate the technical, regulatory, and environmental challenges of aquaculture development in New Brunswick and throughout Atlantic Canada.

Partner with Sangster Engineering

At Sangster Engineering Ltd. in Amherst, Nova Scotia, we bring decades of engineering experience to every project. Serving clients across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Contact us today to discuss your engineering needs.