Global roll-out of land based salmon

PLANS to establish land based salmon farms across the world have been launched by Pure Salmon, an enterprise set up by finance company 8F Asset Management, using RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) technology pioneered by Israeli specialist AquaMaof.
Pure Salmon said its goal was to produce 260,000 tonnes of salmon a year in facilities that are free of chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics, mercury, microplastics and pollutants.
AquaMaof already has a successful track record in building RAS facilities around the world, said Pure Salmon, which built its first RAS plant in Poland.
Fifty per cent owned by 8F’s private equity fund and 50 per cent by AquaMaof, the Polish site is now producing adult-size fish of 5-6kg.
In addition to acting as a proof-of-concept, the facility is also a research and development and training location for Pure Salmon staff globally.
The Poland facility will produce 580 tonnes of Atlantic salmon per annum, said Pure Salmon. A second facility has been recently announced in Japan.
This, costing €141.9 million, will be the largest RAS salmon farm built in Asia, and one of the largest globally.
The 137,000 square metre farm will produce up to 10,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually and will be fully operational from 2021, said Pure Salmon.
The company has plans to roll out large scale facilities of 10,000 or 20,000 tonne production per annum in the US, Europe, China and around the world.
All Pure Salmon land based sites will be fully integrated with on-site hatcheries, grow-out systems and processing facilities.
Stephane Farouze, chairman and founder of 8F, said: ‘We’re delighted to be launching what is the most exciting global development in land based Atlantic salmon farming.
‘We believe that RAS technology will be the leading driving force for growing salmon in a resource strained world, where producing sustainable food without further damaging our oceans is paramount.’
AquaMaof is also currently building an advanced RAS hatchery and nursery facility for Grieg Seafood in Marystown, Newfoundland.
This plant will produce seven million smolt ranging up to 1,500 grams. Grieg NL will stock 11 sea-cage sites for the subsequent grow-out and expect a harvest of 33,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon by 2023.
AquaMaof is also currently building an advanced RAS hatchery and nursery facility for Grieg Seafood in Marystown, Newfoundland.
This plant will produce seven million smolt ranging up to 1,500 grams. Grieg NL will stock 11 sea-cage sites for the subsequent grow-out and expect a harvest of 33,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon by 2023.
Picture: Artist\’s impression of Pure Salmon\’s Japanese facility