AKVA group is showing its new Polarcirkel EcoNet for the first time in Norway at Aqua Nor.

This long-life net technology has been used to make more than 4,000 nets in Japan for 20 years, and has also been used for other installations such as shark nets and rock slide nets.

"The technology is relatively unknown in the global aquaculture industry", said AKVA group's CEO Knut Molaug, adding that the Polarcirkel EcoNet can change the aquaculture industry.

Polarcirkel EcoNet is made from extremely strong, light-weight PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) which has superior technical characteristics. The nets are virtually escape- and predator proof, keeping threats such as seals, sealions, sharks and crocodiles at bay.

"The nets have a very long lifespan. We have tested samples of Polarcirkel EcoNets that have been in the sea for nearly 20 years and they show no signs of weakening,'' Molaug said.

The hard non-fibre twine also prevents marine fouling and makes it even easier to clean while in water using Idema Net Cleaners. This also eliminates the use of anti-fouling paints. The Polarcirkel EcoNet's semi-rigid structure keeps the net shape intact and thus maximises water flow and oxygen to the fish.

AKVA group's CMO, Trond Severinsen, said, "We now have an exclusive agreement with Kasutani Fishing Net Mfg. Co. Ltd. of Japan to commercialise and distribute the Polarcirkel EcoNet globally outside Japan, the US, Australia and New Zealand. Part of this process includes full scale testing of the Polarcirkel EcoNet this fall, both for salmon and cod in Norway, as well as Sea Bass and Sea Bream in the Mediterranean. We will launch the nets commercially following these tests".