How Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® is improving trout welfare, fillet yields and harvest efficiency at Britford Trout Farm
14 July 2026
For more than four decades, Britford Trout Farm has been producing premium trout for the UK market. Established in 1983 by Jack Heaven's father, grandfather and other family members, the business has built a reputation for quality while remaining firmly rooted in traditional family values.
Today, producing around 300 tonnes of trout annually and supplying major retailers including Waitrose, Britford Trout Farm is focused on maintaining the highest standards of trout welfare, operational efficiency and product quality. To support those ambitions, the business recently invested in Ace Aquatec's Humane Stunner Universal (A-HSU®) for trout.
Investing in fish welfare and modern trout harvesting
As customer expectations around fish welfare, transparency and product consistency continue to evolve, Jack and his team recognised the need to modernise their harvesting process. While their previous stunning system had served the farm for many years, they wanted a solution that would improve operational efficiency, strengthen welfare standards and provide greater confidence in the quality of the final product.
"We wanted a harvesting system that reflected the standards we were aiming for as a business," says Jack. "When you're supplying premium customers, welfare and consistency are incredibly important."
Following discussions through the British Trout Association, the farm partnered with Ace Aquatec to install an A-HSU® system. Grant funding helped support the investment, enabling the family business to adopt the latest humane fish stunning technology.
"The grant made a huge difference," Jack explains. "It's a significant investment for a family business, but we knew it was the right step forward."
Streamlining trout harvesting operations
Since the installation, the benefits have been immediate. The A-HSU® has streamlined harvesting operations, allowing fish to move efficiently through the stunning process and directly into an ice slurry system before transport to the processor.
"It's been brilliant since it was installed," says Jack. "The process is far more efficient. We recently harvested 2.8 tonnes in around 40 minutes, and everything flows smoothly from stunning through to loading."
The reduced handling requirements have improved workflow for the team while supporting consistent fish welfare outcomes throughout harvest. The system has also given the farm greater confidence when showcasing its operations to customers and visitors.
"Anyone can come and watch us harvest now," Jack says. "We're proud of the process and proud of the standards we're achieving."
Improved fillet yields and product quality
Beyond operational efficiencies, Britford Trout Farm has seen significant improvements in product quality. Shortly after the A-HSU® was installed, the farm informed its processing partner in Grimsby about the change and asked whether they had noticed any difference in the fish arriving for processing.
"I asked whether they could see a difference after we started using the system," Jack recalls. "They said straight away that fillet yields had increased by five to six percent."
For processors, even small improvements in yield can have a significant commercial impact. The increase reported by the Grimsby processor highlights the value that humane stunning technology can deliver beyond welfare improvements alone.
In addition to higher yields, the processor also reported improvements in texture and shelf life, helping to maximise value throughout the seafood supply chain and ensuring consumers receive a consistently high-quality trout product.
"They've told us the shelf life in store is excellent and the texture is really firm," says Jack. "The feedback has been extremely positive."
Supporting the future of sustainable trout farming
The farm currently operates with a small team but continues to increase production and expand its customer base. With ambitions to grow output to 350 tonnes annually, efficient and reliable fish harvesting technology will remain an important part of that journey.
For Jack, the investment in Ace Aquatec's A-HSU® has delivered benefits that go beyond operational performance.
"I'm so proud of the product we sell now," he says. "The quality is better, the process works really well, and it gives us confidence in what we're producing."
As trout producers face increasing demands around fish welfare, quality and transparency, Britford Trout Farm demonstrates how investment in innovative aquaculture technology can deliver measurable results. Through the adoption of Ace Aquatec's A-HSU®, the business has enhanced trout welfare standards, improved product quality and increased processing yields, while positioning itself for continued growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
