Fish farm Tropic Ribarstvo\'s invention, a peracetic acid dispenser for trout farms, was the winner of the inaugural Alltech Coppen’s Inventor program.

In the intensive production of rainbow trout there are conditions such as gills diseases, that need to be treated with peracetic acid or a similar medical supplement. Zoran Tepic, managing director of Tropic Ribarstvo, from Bosnia and Herzegovina and his team have invented a device that safely applies treatments to fish tanks and raceways. The peracetic acid dispenser offers farmers a measured and safe way to effectively make such applications while also minimizing stress on fish.

“There was a wide range of exciting and diverse innovations, and the choice of selecting a winner was exceptionally difficult,” said Pat Charlton, CEO of Alltech Coppens. “Traditionally, the flow in the fish tank is stopped and the peracetic acid is manually applied to the water — this can cause additional stress on the fish and uneven distribution of the therapeutic. This invention is an extremely efficient method of treating fish in a way that ensures safe and stable dosing while minimizing stress to fish stock during the process.”

Tropic Ribarstvo won €2,000 worth of Alltech Coppens feed and the support of the Alltech Innovation team to develop the idea and dissemination. The invention was showcased to leaders and peers of the aquaculture industry at Aqua InDepth that was held in Eindhoven, the Netherlands from October 1 – 2.

“The Inventor program was created with the aim of discovering and supporting some of the unique ideas developed by farmers for farmers,” explained Charlton. “At Alltech Coppens, we want to pay tribute to the small and big innovations happening each day on aqua farms across the world. We want to empower farmers who are contributing to a Planet of Plenty™ by supporting their inventions and bringing them to a global stage.”