Facilities for research in European eel hatchery technology, Hirtshals

The EEL-HATCH facility is a prototype eel hatchery that is dedicated to establishing production of glass eels in captivity.

European eel reproduction and larval culture

Research at EEL-HATCH aims at developing methods and technology to reproduce the European eel in captivity and culture larvae with the goal to establish a hatchery that can produce glass eels for the aquaculture industry.

Eel is a treasured and high-value species at the market, ideal for land-based aquaculture through well-developed Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) technology with low environmental footprint. Now, farming needs hatcheries that can supply juveniles, i.e. glass eels, as basis of a closed-cycle, certifiable production. Such replacement of wild caught glass eels will give sustainability to the commercial eel aquaculture sector.

At EEL-HATCH, interdisciplinary, innovative research is conducted in collaboration with national and international research and industry partners to develop hatchery technology and enhance our knowledge about this critically endangered species.

Custom-made infrastructure and technology

The 650m² research platform, being among the most advanced of its kind globally, provides the infrastructure and technology required for broodstock management, production of offspring in captivity and larval culture. It includes facilities for fish culture and experimental research, laboratories and offices.

A modern water treatment plant processes, prepares and matures incoming seawater. Water systems encompass separate RAS allocated to culture of different life stages of the complex eel life cycle, including broodstock, egg and embryos, and the long larval stage.

Separate experimental systems are tailored for different larval stages to test their physio-chemical and biological requirements including different feeds. Still, little is known about these larval stages in nature and their culture conditions therefore require particular attention.

University-industry collaboration

EEL-HATCH was designed and constructed in 2016 in collaboration between DTU Aqua, the North Sea Science Park and two industrial partners: Billund Aquaculture and STMI Aqua Systems. The Innovation Fund Denmark and Nord Energi Fonden (previously ENV-“Fonden”) have financially supported research and technology development.