Grieg hails successful first Newfoundland salmon harvest

Grieg Seafood has commenced harvesting of the first generation of salmon at its new Canadian east coast location in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.

Describing the development as an important milestone, it said the operation had produced good fish health and welfare and free of lice.

It would continue to develop its farming region in Newfoundland gradually and responsibly.

The first fish were harvested last week and then packed at Quinlan Brothers’ processing plant in Bay de Verde in Newfoundland before they were transported to customers in the North American market.

Grieg Seafood CEO Andreas Kvame said: “Harvesting the first generation of fish in Newfoundland marks an important milestone for Grieg Seafood. I am pleased to see that the fish has good welfare and that biological control has been strong.

“This first, successful generation shows what enormous potential Placentia Bay in Newfoundland holds for sustainable salmon farming.

“This is especially true in light of the booming North American market just next door, where consumers are increasingly asking for local, healthy and climate friendly food. We will continue to develop our production in Newfoundland gradually and responsibly during the years to come.”

He added: “I want to congratulate all of my hard-working colleagues in Newfoundland with this achievement.”

Earlier this year, Grieg transferred the next generation of fish into three new ocean farms. The second generation will be harvested in 2024. Fish from the farm Red Island are currently being harvested.

The first generation spent about a year in Grieg Seafood’s freshwater and smolt facility in Marystown and was transferred to two ocean farms in Placentia Bay in 2022.

The company said the first generation of fish has grown well throughout the year. Deep pens, no need for treatments of any form as well as transfer of best practices from similar conditions in other Grieg Seafood regions have, Grieg says, contributed to good fish health and welfare throughout the production cycle.

The first generation has a survival rate of 92% while the annual survival rate of all of the fish in the ocean farms is currently 96%.

The other good news is that the fish have been farmed with no sea lice issues.

The fish farmed in Newfoundland will be transported to the growing North American market without the need of air freight, making it a local alternative with low carbon emissions.

Knut Skeidsvoll, managing director of Grieg Seafood Newfoundland said: “Since 2014, we have been working towards this day, when we are finally able to send salmon grown in Placentia Bay to our customers and consumers. I am pleased with the biological performance of the first generation, including the survival rate as well as strong sea lice control.”

He added: “I want to thank all of my colleagues in Newfoundland for their hard work during these years, as well as the local communities of Placentia Bay and the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador for their support.

“We will keep developing our Newfoundland region step by step, and create jobs and value for the communities where we operate for years to come.”