Aquaculture Magazine reports:
Norwegian company Arctic Seafarm recently announced plans to build a land-based aquaculture facility in partnership with Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett and its new majority owner, EMK Capital. The company has secured financing for the first phase of the land-based structure in Helgeland, Nordland County, Norway. The concession for 15,000 tons MAB (Maximum Allowed Biomass) can produce up to 25,000 tons of salmon.
With immediate proximity to the sea and well-established infrastructure, the facility is strategically placed at Langsetvågen in the Nesna municipality. In the first phase, the facility plans to produce 10,000 tons of salmon (8,000 tons HOG) and employ about 40 employees. Fully developed, the facility will employ around 100 people in the municipality.
Magnus Kibsgaard, CEO of Artic Seafarm commented: “Arctic Seafarm was founded with the goal of farming salmon in a more sustainable way than traditional aquaculture does today. This applies to fish welfare and minimizing our impact on the climate and environment. We have a strategic partnership with Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett, a local fish farmer on the Helgeland coast. They are the world’s most certified fish farmer and together we will supply the global market with 8,000 tons of salmon annually.”
Low climate footprint and a focus on fish welfare
Artic Seafarm will produce salmon with a low climate footprint and a focus on fish welfare. As the global demand for protein increases rapidly, food production must not compromise animal welfare and climate considerations. The company will therefore produce fish on land using a hybrid flow-through system, protecting the fish from sea lice, the external environment, and safeguard against escapes.
The facility will be powered by solar energy, hydropower, and recycled energy from the production process. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2027 with the first smolt will be introduced in 2026.
Partnership
Building a land-based aquaculture facility requires the best technology. For that reason, they have therefore decided to partner with Eyvi, Totalbetong, and Johs. J. Sylteren, who are responsible for delivering a turnkey facility and have worked with Arctic Seafarm for several years in detailed planning.
“The solutions are highly energy-efficient, they are designed with fish welfare in mind, and we are also facilitating a good working environment for those who will operate the facility. We are proud of the result and the excellent solutions we have developed together with Totalbetong and Arctic Seafarm,” says Kjetil Isaksen, CEO of Eyvi.
Johs. J. Sylteren is responsible for all groundwork to prepare the site for construction. Eyvi and Totalbetong are delivering a hybrid flow-through system where water is pumped from the sea for filtration and disinfection before entering the facility. This eliminates the risk of disease and sea lice providing the fish a much better quality of life. The facility will only use solar and hydropower, and turbines will generate electricity when clean water is returned to the sea.
“We have set very high standards, both in terms of sustainability and fish health and welfare. Eyvi and Totalbetong have delivered on this and more. The groundwork is already underway, and we look forward to realizing the project,” said Magnus Kibsgaard.
New majority shareholder
According to a press release of Arctic Seafarm, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place when the private equity fund EMK Capital became the majority shareholder in the company. Kibsgaard assured he is very pleased to have EMK Capital on board who will bring professionalism and expertise to the company.
“I would also like to highlight Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett. Since they joined the project, they have contributed their knowledge of salmon farming, which spans 48 years and is one of the keys to the success of this project. I would also like to thank Bjørn Pedersen, who initiated the idea and set everything in motion. Lastly, we would also like to thank the municipality, led by the mayor and her administration who has consistently shown great support for the project,” he added.