Living Lab project attracting large following, says SalMar chief

More than 100 stakeholders have already signed up to SalMar’s Salmon Living Lab project since its launch a few months ago, Frode Arntsen, Executive Director of the salmon giant has disclosed.

Speaking at a Norwegian Seafood Council conference in Bergen recently, Arntsen said the project will contribute to providing healthier and more sustainable seafood.

SalMar, in collaboration with Cargill, announced the NOK 500 million (£35m) plan back in March. The Living Lab will foster a collaborative approach across the salmon industry to tackle biological issues.

The conference was told that while global demand for salmon had increased in the last three to four years production in Norway had stagnated.

Arntsen said: “ Salmon production has become a high-tech industry that has succeeded with a number of good solutions and brought us forward.

“There are, however, other factors that have developed in the wrong direction. Both the feed factor, the proportion of damaged fish and the mortality rate have increased.

“Now is the time to acknowledge the challenges and increase knowledge about salmon biology,” he added.

SalMar launched the Salmon Living Lab initiative to help increase that knowledge.

Arntsen said: “There should be an interaction between critics and researchers, and should contribute to reversing the negative development linked to biological challenges in salmon production.

“The Living Lab will close knowledge gaps, search for new insights and attract partners with leading industry expertise. Now we are working to find out how to organize ourselves.”

Frode Arntsen

He continued: “We believe that the potential in terms of growth, survival and improved health for the salmon is great. In addition, we have high expectations for nutrition and the ‘combination of biology and technology’.

“We need leading knowledge in the entire value chain, right from genetics to the final product. We want to create an innovation centre to improve and develop the food chain in salmon farming. “

Some of the results will be public, while some will be more company-specific, he explained.

Like most aquaculture companies, SalMar also experienced a number of production challenges last winter.

“We have had several localities that have been heavily attacked by jellyfish. Together with low sea temperatures in northern Norway, ulcer bacteria and the highest proportion of production fish of all time, it has been demanding,

He told delegates: “In times like this, it is extra important to remind each other that we have a fantastic product and thus a very good starting point.

“Although the Earth consists of 70% water, only 3% of all food production comes from the sea.

“The UN has also pointed to sustainable aquaculture as a key measure to be able to feed the world’s growing population, so the potential is great.”