SOLUTION / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
Harbor Fence electrical barrier for salmon sea-lice control
- Published November 17, 2022; updated September 21, 2026; estimated reading time 2 minutes. Status: available. Industry: Aquaculture and fisheries.
- Harbor Fence uses low-voltage electrical pulses to inactivate sea lice before they attach to farmed salmon. It is described as a non-invasive, chemical-free alternative to chemical or mechanical delousing, which the article says can harm the environment or stress fish and is increasingly affected by treatment resistance.
- The system includes a power supply, flexible pulse generator and electrodes. Two wide-mesh nets carry suspended electrical cables that emit pulses into the water. Monitoring alerts staff to power failures. The article says the barrier stops infestation inside the cage and spread to surrounding waters without harming fish.
- Full-scale trials are said to have reduced sea lice on salmon by up to 80%. The page reports improved fish welfare, production rate and product quality; no negative effects on salmon or other marine organisms; no interference with daily farm operations; reduced need for chemical/mechanical treatments when used with cleaner fish; lower risk to wild salmon; and less net fouling, allowing copper impregnation to last longer.
- Historical market context: the article cites global salmon production of 3.7 million metric tons in 2018, a projection of 4.7 million by 2024, and around 12,000 salmon pens worldwide. It estimates a USD 200 million opportunity at a conservative 15% market share. Harbor says the product is patented in Canada, Chile and Europe.
- Contact: Christian Eritzland, Key Account Manager, christian@harbor.no; phone reveal control collapsed. Company: HARBOR AS, Skogstøstraen 37, 4029 Stavanger, Norway; harbor.no.