Salmon Evolution buys site for biggest on-land fish farm
The Norwegian company planning to build Europe’s biggest on-land salmon farm has moved a step closer to making its ambition a reality by buying the site of the proposed development.
Salmon Evolution’s proposed NOK3 billion (£279m) facility in Møre og Romsdal in north west Norway will have a maximum standing biomass of 13,300 tonnes and an annual salmon output of 28,800 tonnes.
The company announced yesterday that it had exercised its right to buy the site at Indre Harøy from the Fraena local authority. The site is partly a quarry and undeveloped land zoned for commercial development.
Optimal conditions
“This is an important milestone, and fully in line with our timetable for realising Europe’s largest land-based fish farm,” said Kristofer Reiten, chair of Salmon Evolution, in a press release. “The development will also help to strengthen the region.”
He described the strategic and structural conditions as optimal for developing the flow-through land-based aquaculture facility.
“We have unlimited access to clean and fresh seawater, adequate electricity supplies, our own deep-water quay and opportunities for expansion and growth. In addition, we are optimally positioned in terms of distance to market.”
Anders Skipenes, chief administrative officer for Fræna council, said: “It’s very gratifying that the company is now ready to take the next step.
“Salmon Evolution’s project at Indre Harøy will make an important contribution to building a national powerhouse for seafood production. The new Hustadvika local authority could scarcely have got off to a better start in terms of forward-looking industrial development.”
Last month Salmon Evolution said it had started recruiting after raising NOK 50 million (£4.5m) through a private share placement to fund its first construction phase.
