SSF freshwater chief snapped up by Mowi Norway
The fish farmer who overhauled Scottish Sea Farms’ freshwater production strategy and played a key role in the delivery of its new hatchery at Barcaldine has joined Mowi after returning to his home country of Norway.
Pål Tangvik, 57, is now freshwater manager for Mowi Norway’s northern region.
“After participating in a challenging and exciting development at SSF, it was time to set course for Norway again,” he told Fish Farming Expert’s Norwegian sister site, Kyst.no.
“When Mowi announced a vacancy as a freshwater manager in northern Norway, I wanted to try my luck there. I think working for the world’s largest salmon farmer is both exciting and challenging. What I have seen so far bodes well, with lots of good and knowledgeable colleagues.”
£57m hatchery
Tangvik joined SSF in December 2014 from Norway’s Lerøy Seafood Group, which co-owns SSF with another Norwegian salmon farmer, SalMar.
During his time in Scotland, he oversaw the design, location and build of the £57 million hatchery at Barcaldine, near Oban; streamlined the company’s pre-existing freshwater estate in preparation for its opening; and brought together a team that is now delivering the full smolt requirement of SSF’s 42 marine farms.
Tangvik started in the aquaculture industry in 1989.
A suitable challenge
“After 20 years at sea in different roles and at different locations in Lerøy Seafood Group, I thought it was time to get an insight into the hatchery side as well,” he told Kyst.
“I was then so lucky that I got an offer to run a facility in Lensvika, close to where I live. After another five years there, my then leader Klemet Steen came and wondered if I did not want a real challenge, there was a vacant role as hatchery leader in Scottish Sea Farms and he thought it was a suitable challenge then. So, for the last six years I have been responsible for juvenile fish there.”
His aim in his new role will be the same as his last: to deliver the best smolts to his employer’s farms.
Discussion partner
“For me, it is important to be a supporter and discussion partner for the operations managers and others in my organisation. It is important that everyone feels they are an important part of a team, and that it is together that we create the best results,” said Tangvik.
“I look forward to getting to know lots of new good people in Mowi, and again being back in Norway where I can see more family and friends.”
