After raising fish for many months, growers often transport their fish to the ocean, lakes or other grow-out locations. Transport distance/time varies greatly from minutes to hours and possibly overnight and controlling DO levels during transport is critical for the well-being of the fish. A good oxygen monitoring system can control dissolved oxygen as needed and alarm in the event of a failure. The key reasons to have a transport system are as follows:
- Transport tanks have a lower volume of water, no water exchange, and generally higher fish densities. Changes happen much more rapidly than in culture tanks or raceways. Controlling oxygen automatically can prevent fish loss.
- Stress factors during transport do not always cause immediate losses but may lead to poor survival rates later. Fish stress can be reduced with properly maintained DO levels.
- An oxygen monitoring system prevents technicians from having to climb up on the tank with a handheld meter while stopped on the side of the road. This is often considered to be one of the more dangerous jobs of a hatchery technician.
