Cod farmer stocks next year’s fish as it nears first commercial harvest
Norwegian cod farmer Norcod has transferred 2.4 million juvenile fish to sea pens at the company’s three sites in Pålskjæra, Skogsøya and Frosvika, which is located in Nordland and is Norcod’s newest facility.
“The transfer operation to the sea-site growth facilities went successfully as planned. The fish seemed happy immediately and began feeding straight after their arrival,” said Norcod production director Rune Eriksen in a press release.
The newly stocked batch of cod will be ready for harvest in the third quarter of 2022. The next batch of juveniles is planned for the sea phase in the spring of 2022, after starting the growth phase in December.
Milestones
Meanwhile, Norcod is planning its first commercial harvest of fresh cod in the current quarter.
“Other major milestones we are looking forward to after that include the delivery of a brand-new feed barge equipped with waterborne feeding technology to our Frosvika facility in October, as well as the arrival of our new hybrid-electric service vessel Julianne J. Both vessels are key components in our sustainability strategy to enhance operational efficiency and lower emissions in the production cycle,” said Eriksen.
Generating income
Chief executive Christian Riber said: “Every transfer of fish from growth tanks to the sea marks a key step on our journey to becoming a new industry leader.
“The fish are performing as expected thanks to our fantastic team. We are excited to start generating income from our first harvest and arrangements that have been put in place with buyers.”
‘High-end product’
Seafood sales and marketing company Sirena Group is responsible for Norcod’s market strategy and has lined up selected customers in key markets once harvesting starts.
“Norcod must be positioned and branded as the sustainable and delicious high-end seafood product that it is,” said Sirena’s head of strategy Martin Buhl. “We are truly excited about the market response so far and the bright prospects for establishing Norcod as a leading brand and product in the global market.”
