New case study: SmoothMove salmon transfer system

This pioneering system offers a fresh approach to salmon transfers

This project - a partnership between East Coast Innovation and Cooke Aquaculture Scotland - has promising implications for fish welfare and farm sustainability. Funded by the UK Seafood Innovation Fund, the project was valued at £777,500, and was supported by SAIC.

Farmed Atlantic salmon undergo several transfers throughout their life cycle, often during grading, treatment, or harvest. Traditional transfer methods often rely on crowding fish toward a suction pump, which can lead to stress-related issues such as reduced feeding and delayed growth

The SmoothMove system enables salmon to be moved at significantly lower biomass densities,  which reduces stress and potential injury during handling. By making use of the salmon’s natural tendency to swim against currents, SmoothMove encourages the fish to swim voluntarily into the system,. This maintains efficiency without the need for high-density crowding.

Field trials demonstrated that SmoothMove could match conventional transfer rates while meeting RSPCA standards. Underwater cameras allowed allowed operators to monitor fish behaviour in real time, further supporting welfare-focused decision-making.

Although the project encountered some technical challenges, the trials confirmed the system’s viability in a commercial setting. SmoothMove represents a significant advance in salmon transfer technology, offering welfare and commercial benefits.

East Coast Innovation is now refining the design for broader deployment in the coming year.

Read the full case study at