Scottish Sea Farms mourns former freshwater chief Pål Tangvik, 58
Staff at salmon farmer Scottish Sea Farms are mourning the death of former freshwater farming chief Pål Tangvik.
The 58-year-old Norwegian, who returned to his homeland around a year ago after almost seven years in Scotland, died of a heart attack on Tuesday.
In a message sent to staff, SSF managing director Jim Gallagher said: “It is with the greatest sadness – and, if I’m honest, utter disbelief – that I am writing to let you know that our friend and former colleague Pål Tangvik died on Tuesday 28 December, having suffered a sudden and massive heart attack.
“As many of you will know, Pål devoted close to seven years to Scottish Sea Farms, helping overhaul our freshwater farming operations and bring Barcaldine Hatchery into being. Over those years, the quiet man with the deadpan delivery yet mischievous glint in his eye became far more than a respected colleague to many of us. He became a good and loyal friend.
“Come late 2020, with Pål’s professional goals achieved and several young grandchildren having arrived back home, he announced he would be returning to Norway, keen to be closer to family and friends – a decision which, whilst a real blow for his Scottish Sea Farms’ colleagues at the time, has since ensured that Pål leaves behind many fresh memories with those who loved him the most.”
Tangvik joined SSF in December 2014 from Norway’s Lerøy Seafood Group, which co-owns SSF with another Norwegian salmon farmer, SalMar. He was tasked with overhauling the company’s freshwater production strategy, including the creation of its state-of-the-art RAS hatchery at Barcaldine, near Oban.
He oversaw the design, location and build of the new hatchery; streamlined the company’s pre-existing freshwater estate in preparation for its opening; and brought together a team that has been delivering the smolt requirement of SSF’s marine farms.
“My whole reason for coming to Scotland was to help Scottish Sea Farms bring Barcaldine hatchery into being and see the finished facility deliver its first generation of smolts,” said Tangvik in October last year.
“With that now achieved, and with five young grandchildren having arrived while I have been here in Scotland, now feels like the right time to return to Norway where I can be closer to my family, young and old, and be part of the day-to-day once again.”
Tangvik returned to Norway without a job lined up but was quickly taken on by Mowi as freshwater manager for its northern region. Mowi said he would be remembered as a great colleague.
