Challenges continue for Florida salmon farmer Atlantic Sapphire
Problems experienced in keeping water cool at the company's land-based facility in Miami last summer present challenges with sexual maturation of fish. This could affect the price of salmon to be harvested in the first quarter.
Atlantic Sapphire harvested a total volume of approximately 310 tonnes of salmon (head on gutted) in the final quarter of last year.
Net biomass growth was approximately 1,100 tonnes (live weight) for the same period.
The standing biomass as of December 31, 2023, was estimated to be just over 3,000 tonnes LW.
In comparison, Norway land-based fish farmer Salmon Evolution yesterday reported that it had harvested 1,104 tonnes (HOG) in Q4, and had biomass growth of 1,439 tonnes (LW). Standing biomass on December 31 was 2,200 tonnes (LW).
Lower prices
Since its Q3 2023 operational update, Atlantic Sapphire says it has continued to closely monitor the levels of sexual maturity of its fish.
Since then, higher levels of sexual maturation have been seen in the fish groups expected to be harvested in H1 2024, which, according to the company, may affect price attainment and the ability of these fish groups to achieve the same biological performance as seen in June 2023.
Other fish groups that were not affected by the temperature problems in Q3 2023 continue to perform as expected, the company reports.
Atlantic Sapphire says it will publish its full operational update for Q4 2023 in February 2024. That update will include further details on operational performance and areas of focus in Q4 2023 and up to now.
