Ace Aquatec rolls out trout stunner to North American market
UK-based aquaculture technology business Ace Aquatec will be launching its new electric trout stunner at a conference in Ontario, Canada this week.
The innovative A-HSU® skid-mounted in-water electric trout stunner will be unveiled at the 2025 Ontario Aquaculture conference at Fleming College in Lindsay, this Thursday.
The A-HSU is designed to make fish slaughter more humane. Suitable for a wide range of freshwater production species, the stunner can be skid-mounted, meaning its portability and usability across a range of terrain, lake or pond side, is greatly improved.
Ace Aquatec said the system complies with stringent regulations set by The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) under the "Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Salmonids" and approved by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness (OMAFA).
Capable of processing up to 15 tons of trout per hour, the A-HSU® skid-mounted stunner is highly adaptable and designed for use in various harvesting environments, including Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), while adhering to strict biosecurity protocols.
The A-HSU system operates by pumping and recirculating water through a stun tube, where fish are introduced and exposed to a precisely controlled electric field, rendering them insensible almost immediately. This results in a humane slaughter process that reduces stress and crowding, Ace Aquatec said.
One of the first trout farmers in Canada to adopt a humane stunning system from Ace Aquatec, Arlen Taylor, Director of Operations at Cedar Crest, commented: "We were looking for an option for our farm that would get everyone on board in our industry, not only because of the strict welfare requirements but because it’s the right thing to do. Ace Aquatec’s in-water electric stunning system provided us with a reliable, efficient and welfare friendly solution that ensures fish are stunned instantly and humanely, reducing stress and improving overall product quality. Adapting the system to be mounted on a skid base is a perfect solution to meeting the needs of farmers across Canada and elsewhere.
“As the industry moves toward higher welfare standards, having a proven technology that can be adapted to the needs of Canadian producers gives them confidence that they’re meeting best practices."
Head of Sales at Ace Aquatec, Ben Perry, said: “Bringing the A-HSU skid-mounted trout stunner to Canada is a significant milestone for Ace Aquatec and a major step forward for humane aquaculture practices in the region.
“The industry is increasingly prioritising fish welfare, and our technology provides a solution that meets these high standards while enhancing operational efficiency and employee safety for farmers. Showcasing this system at the Ontario Aquaculture conference is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how we can help producers achieve high-quality fish while adhering to strict welfare requirements.”
After successfully implementing both land based and vessel based in-water electric stunners across multiple regions, Ace Aquatec is now focusing on the North American market.
The company hopes that demand in Canada will be driven by the recent best management practices document published by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness (OMAFA).
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