The answer is yes. In our study, which runs to 50 pages, the biology of the fish was very carefully considered in terms of growth rates, temperature, and the feed-conversion ratios. Our study took the exact growth rates that were provided by Stead in the Handbook of Salmon Farming. Our growth rate and work was based around 18 months grow-out at eight degrees centigrade. In-ocean, you typically see temperature variations, water variations, that impede growth. So although it's not embedded in our analysis for the economic support, our expectation is that growth rate of 18 months would be reduced to 15--maybe fewer--months, and because temperature stability is higher and oxygen is higher and optimal, fish condition would actually be superior to ocean-based fish.
On May 12th, 2010. See this statement in context.