February 26, 2021
Salmar continues focus on offshore aquaculture with new appointment
In its 30th anniversary year, SalMar is strengthening its efforts in offshore fish farming, together with a new appointment to the role of CFO and director of strategy at Salmar Ocean, the company said in a press statement.
Group CFO & COO Trine Sæther Romuld, in consultation with SalMar's CEO and board of directors, has announced her decision to accept the role of CFO and director of strategy at SalMar Ocean, while a new Group CFO in SalMar is recruited. Her new post will take effect on September 1, 2021.
"SalMar's focus on the open ocean marked the start of a new era in the seafood industry. Offshore fish farming opens vast new areas for sustainable food production and helps to secure world's food supply in a long-term perspective. By strengthening the team in SalMar Ocean with the appointment of Trine Sæther Romuld, we are further reinforcing this important strategic effort for SalMar," says the Group's CEO Gustav Witzøe.
SalMar's focus on offshore fish farming is well known, and continues its tradition of developing new technologies and solutions.
Ocean Farm 1, a full-scale pilot with offshore design, was put into operation in the autumn of 2017. The farm is located off the coast of Frøya in Central Norway. Two whole production cycles have been carried out and 10,000 tonnes of quality salmon have been delivered to the market.
"We have been able to observe strong biological results, with strong growth, low mortality, low sea lice levels and a production costs on par with the best coastal locations," says SalMar Ocean's CEO Olav-Andreas Ervik.
The company now prepares to build new units for use in exposed areas and in the open ocean.
The next technological leap for SalMar's offshore development is Smart Fish Farm, which is planned to be established in the open ocean outside of Central Norway. SalMar plans to build a series of these units should authorities open up for locations and licenses in these areas.
"In the open ocean, the Gulf Stream supplies a continuous flow of high-quality water at the right temperature. We have no need to add further energy or fresh water. And the Gulf Stream gets its power from the sun, wind and other deep ocean currents," Ervik explains.
Salmar says that the technology and solutions currently being developed are not restricted to Norwegian waters for the sustainable production of North Atlantic salmon.
