Arnarlax, owned by SalMar susbiary Icelandic Salmon, is buying the 50% of the Eldisstoedjin Isthor smolt facility that it doesn't already own. Arnarlax plans to produce bigger smolts to maximise MAB utilisation and shorten time in the sea. Photo: Eldisstoedjin Isthor.

Arnarlax takes key step towards bigger smolts

Competition authorities in Iceland have approved salmon farmer Arnarlax’s agreement to buy full ownership of a smolt facility in which it already has a 50% stake, paving the way for the farmer to produce bigger smolts.

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The transaction to buy the remaining 50% of shares in Eldisstöðin Ísþór (Eldisstoedjin Isthor) smolt facility in Þorlákshöfn (Thorlaksport) on the south west of Iceland was approved yesterday.

Arnarlax is owned by Icelandic Salmon, a subsidiary of Norwegian salmon giant SalMar.

In a market announcement today, Icelandic Salmon said becoming the sole owner of Eldisstöðin Ísþór was an important step in the strategy of increased smolt weight, allowing increased utilisation of maximum biomass allowances while reducing production time in sea and thereby biological risk.

No external financing will be required for the finalisation of the transaction.