Andfjord Salmon's flow-through pool at Kvalnes, on the island of Andøya, Norway. Fish in the pool have grown from 120 g to 1 kg in four months and have a 98.9% survival rate.

Fish growing faster than forecast in land-based farm

‘Excellent biological conditions’ help first crop eat their way from 120 grams to 1 kg in four months, says Andfjord Salmon

Editorial team
Published

Fish stocked in Norwegian land-based farmer Andfjord Salmon’s first pool have reached an average weight of 1 kilo well ahead of the late December 2022 forecast, the company announced today.

This could result in the company’s first harvest being brought forward. The survival rate stands at industry leading 98.9%, four months after approximately 200,000 smolt at an average weight of 120 grams were stocked in the pool at Kvalnes on the island of Andøya.

Martin Rasmussen: "This confirms that the living conditions in the pool are good, which means that the fish eat well and thereby grow fast."

“We are very pleased to see that we have been able to provide our salmon with excellent biological conditions. As a result, the growth rate is higher than what we estimated. This confirms that the living conditions in the pool are good, which means that the fish eat well and thereby grow fast. The excellent survival rate also confirms high fish welfare in the pool’s ecosystem,” said Andfjord Salmon chief executive Martin Rasmussen.

Low energy cost

“Reaching the 1 kg milestone confirms the benefits of Andfjord Salmon’s fish farming concept, where excellent biological conditions in combination with low energy cost underline the robustness of our business case. The energy-use is also well within our target 1 kWh/kg salmon produced.”

Andfjord Salmon draws water from depths of approximately 40 metres for its flow-through salmon farm. The water is replaced 15-17 times in 24 hours.

The company’s pools are excavated into the bedrock of the island, which means the water intake is below sea level. This reduces the energy required to pump water in.

The square shaped pools use laminar flow (in one end, out the other) with the intention of replicating a cross section of the Gulf stream current.

At harvest weight the density will be around 35-40 kg/m³.

Andfjord Salmon is building its pools below sea level, which reduces the energy required to pump water from depth for its flow-through system that replaces water 15-17 times every 24-hours.
salmon farming landbased norway andfjord salmon