As part of an international research collaboration, Otter Ferry Seafish is contributing to the development of next-generation hatchery management tools through the HATCHTOOLS project — a EUROSTARS-3 funded initiative focused on improving feeding strategies for flatfish larvae and juveniles.

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HATCHTOOLS brings together a multidisciplinary consortium consisting of SPAROS Lda (Portugal) as project leader, Otter Ferry Seafish Ltd (Scotland), and FLATLANTIC – Actividades Piscícolas, S.A. (Portugal). The shared goal is to develop a web-based digital application that combines nutritional modelling, precision monitoring, and operational data to support hatchery managers in making more informed feeding decisions — tailored to the specific parameters of their systems.

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At Otter Ferry Seafish, the team has taken the lead on the experimental component of the project in Scotland, conducting five targeted trials to support both the development and validation of the HATCHTOOLS platform. These include two calibration trials, one at the larval stage and one at the juvenile stage, to generate custom nutritional model data. Feeding trials have also been carried out to assess the performance of different diet formulations, both during weaning and post-weaning phases. In addition, a dedicated respirometry trial has been conducted to measure metabolic rates at various stages of halibut development.

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Together, these efforts provide the scientific foundation needed to shape a digital tool that is both practical and precise, capable of driving improvements in hatchery efficiency, fish welfare, and resource use.

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The HATCHTOOLS project highlights the role of Otter Ferry Seafish as a partner in data-driven aquaculture innovation, combining hands-on experimental work with applied R&D to advance the performance and sustainability of marine hatcheries.

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