Better news for Atlantic Sapphire as Q3 harvest jumps

Florida-based salmon farmer Atlantic Sapphire has reported a much brighter picture for production during the third quarter of this year.

The company processed 1,300 tonnes against 365 tonnes during the July to September period 12 months ago when temperature-related challenges resulted in slower growth.

Atlantic Sapphire grows salmon in a RAS (recirculating aquaculture systems) facility in Homestead, Florida.

Atlantic Sapphire said in an Oslo Stock Exchange announcement last night that the harvest weight had increased during the quarter, as the standing biomass has been adapted to the current feeding capacity during the quarter.

During Q3, the statement said, biological development progressed favourably with stable water quality and temperatures, low mortalities, and increased harvest weight throughout the quarter following the operational measures taken to increase harvest size.

The realised average harvest weight was 1.42 kg (heads on gutted) in July, and 1.55 kg (HOG) in August, and 2.19 kg (HOG) in September.

Atlantic Sapphire expects further increased average harvest weight in the fourth quarter this year.

CEO John Andreassen said a few months ago that it has been a year of challenges for the US-based business, but it had also been a decisive year in the company’s efforts to produce healthy protein in the United States.

Writing in the company’s annual report, he says the first part was focused on the project with resetting the biofilters, which he described as “an enormous task” as the company had to continue fish farming at the same time.

Atlantic Sapphire farm, Florida