Work begins on another hybrid salmon farm in Norway

Norwegian company Arctic Seafarm AS has begun groundworks for a land-based salmon farm in collaboration with fish farmer Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett AS and Arctic Seafarm's new majority owner, EMK Capital.

The start of work follows the securing of financing for the first phase of the hybrid recirculating / flow-though facility, Arctic Seafarm siad in a press release.

The facility is strategically located at Langsetvågen in Nesna municipality, Nordland, in the Helgeland region. It has immediate proximity to the sea and well-established infrastructure.

A permit for 15,000 tonnes maximum allowed biomass will enable the production of up to 25,000 tonnes of salmon annually, the company said. In the first phase, Arctic Seafarm plans to produce about 10,000 tonnes of salmon (8,000 tones gutted weight) and employ around 40 people. When the facility is fully developed, it will provide employment for about 100 people in Nesna.

Hybrid technology

Arctic Seafarm said it will produce salmon with a low carbon footprint and with a focus on fish welfare.

"As global demand for protein increases rapidly, food production must occur without compromising animal welfare and climate considerations. The company will therefore produce fish on land using a hybrid flow-through system, which protects the fish from sea lice, external environmental impacts, and ensures against escape," it is stated.

The facility will be powered by solar energy, hydropower, and recycled energy from the production process - turbines will generate electricity when clean water is returned to the sea.

First smolts in 2026

The farm is expected to be fully operational in 2027. The first smolts will be released in 2026.

"Arctic Seafarm was founded with the goal of operating salmon farming in a more sustainable manner than traditional farming does today. This applies to both fish welfare and minimal climate and environmental impact. We have a strategic partnership with Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett, a local farmer on the Helgeland coast. They are the world's most certified breeding company, and together we will initially deliver 8,000 tonnes of salmon annually to the global market through Arctic Seafarm," said Arctic Seafarm chief executive Magnus Kibsgaard in the press release.

'High technology standards' 

The facility will be built in collaboration with Eyvi AS, Totalbetong AS, and Johs. J. Syltern AS.

"The solutions are highly energy efficient, they are designed with fish welfare in mind, and we also facilitate a good working environment for those who will operate the facility. We are proud of the result and the outstanding solutions we have developed together with Totalbetong and Arctic Seafarm," said Kjetil Isaksen, chief executive of land-based aquaculture system supplier Eyvi. 

Johs. J. Syltern is responsible for all groundwork to prepare the site for construction. Eyvi and construction heavyweight Totalbetong will deliver a hybrid flow-through system where water is pumped from the sea for filtration and disinfection before it is released into the facility. 

"This eliminates the risk of disease and sea lice, and provides the fish with much better quality of life," they claim.

The facility will only use renewable energy.

"We have set very high standards, both in terms of sustainability and fish health and welfare. The groundwork is already under way, and we look forward to realising the project," said Magnus Kibsgaard.

New majority owner

According to the press release, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place when the private equity fund EMK Capital became the majority owner in Arctic Seafarm AS.

EMK Capital is a growth-oriented acquisition fund with an investment history in European and international mid-sized companies.

According to the press release, EMK (Enterprise, Management, Knowledge) invests in opportunities where there are undiscovered and/or difficult to realise values.

EMK has offices in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Mumbai, Munich, New York, Paris, and Singapore. According to its website, it has more than  has over €7 billion of assets under management.

ABG Sundal Collier ASA and SpareBank 1 Markets AS were Arctic Seafarm's financial advisors and arrangers of the transaction.