Why fish farms go full ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ during heat waves

When the temperatures rise, so do the stakes — and that’s when fish farmers activate stealth mode. At Springhills, hot weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s a serious challenge for our fish. So we’ve developed precision protocols to keep things cool, calm, and under control.

Hot Water Is Our Nemesis

Rainbow trout can handle heat — if it comes on gradually and cools down overnight. But back-to-back hot days and warm nights? That’s when things get dicey.

Warmer water holds less oxygen, increases stress, and makes fish more vulnerable to disease. So just like Danny Ocean planning a high-stakes heist, we coordinate a smooth operation to keep stress levels low and systems running clean.

Here’s a peek at our heatwave intel:

1. Lay Low, Stay Cool

When it’s hot, we reduce all unnecessary movement — no handling, counting, or sudden changes. Just like any good spy, our trout stay quiet and low-profile. And we do too: our team heads indoors to the cool hatchery when we can.

Oxygen Boost: Engage

Warm water = less oxygen. So we kick into high gear with diffusers, bubblers, and injectors — all designed to keep the oxygen flowing. Think of it like strapping jetpacks to their gills.

Feed Fallback

Digesting feed takes oxygen, so we scale it back. It’s our version of a low-profile diet — less activity, fewer complications, and less stress.

Clean Sweep

We double down on cleanliness: clearing tanks, cleaning screens, and maximizing flow. No loose ends. No surprises. No chaos.

Secret Weapon: Superfood Supplements

When we do feed, it’s with purpose. We load the feed with vitamin C, essential minerals, and stress-fighting micronutrients — like a tuxedoed Bond dodging lasers, but for fish.

30+ Years of Stealth Mode

After more than three decades in aquaculture, we’ve learned how to stay one fin ahead of the weather. Heatwaves may test us, but we’ve got the tools — and the trout — to handle the mission.

Stay cool. Stay stealthy. And always watch your water.