Hauge’s Egg sees first smolt release

The company behind the revolutionary “Egg” closed containment system says its first salmon smolts have been released into the cage.

Ovum, a subsidiary of Hauge Aqua, which developed the Egg (the smaller, pilot version is also known as the Egget), reported yesterday that 50,000 smolts, averaging 150 grams in weight, are now in the pilot version of the Egg moored at Romsdalsfjord, Norway.

The smolts are from Eik Settefish and were transported by Rostein AS in the wellboat Robris.

Hauge said: “Going forward, Øyvind Våge and his team in Prophylaxia at Gjermundnes will run Egget® together with us. The Pilot Egg represents the first step in the development project that Hauge Aqua AS and Aquaculture Partner are doing together with Hofseth International.

“This is proof of concept in practice. Now we get confirmation of whether what we have thought is correct, both biologically, technically and commercially.”

The closed cage concept is intended to protect the fish from sea lice and other marine hazards, as well as preventing escapes and controlling pollution from fish farms.

Last month, Hofseth International, one of Norway’s largest independent fish farming companies, announced that it had purchased 50% of Ovum’s equity.