Just for everyone's thoughts this. ( keeping in mind I have been out of the process a bit ). When my friend reared Atlantic for pens he was straight well water to limit any disease. Tanks were netted to prevent anything from getting in and all vents were screened. When up to size for transfer each smolt was treated with antibiotics by injections with a hand held gun type thing. Any diseases that the pens pick up are water borne which is why managing the pen load is important as stress needs to be minimized.

Pen Atlantic's do not reproduce in the wild anymore than a multi generational hatchery Summer Steelhead does which is about zero. So the only impact the release could have is on whatever they find to eat. That simple and complex at the same time. You know net pens came about due to the constant challenges to permitting a land facility. Some valid but many were simply sky is falling BS that sadly usually lies in the enviro community but wait remember the producers fall back position is oh hell nothing could go wrong. So your ass deep in pure 100% BS anywhere you go with this issue.

Oh somewhere back on the catching bit. Pen fish are usually fed with floating feed to reduce waste of feed and build up on the seabed and it does look like dog food ( depending on the size of the fish ) so get them in a bunch they will hit about anything if you can chum them up.


Edited by Rivrguy (08/27/17 08:29 AM)
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Dazed and confused.............the fog is closing in