Scottish Sea Farms has confirmed that Pål Tangvik, who serves as the firm’s head of freshwater farming, is leaving the salmon company and returning to his homeland of Norway, having successfully delivered the company’s first full-generation of recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)-grown smolts.
Tangvik joined Scottish Sea Farms in 2014 from Lerøy Seafood Group, which co-owns Scottish Sea Farms, along with SalMar ASA. He was tasked with overhauling the company’s freshwater production strategy, including the creation of a state-of-the-art RAS hatchery.
In the past six years, he has overseen the design, location, and construction of the new hatchery at Barcaldine; streamlined the company’s pre-existing freshwater estate in preparation for its opening; and brought together a team that is now delivering the full smolt requirement of the company’s 42 marine farms.
“My whole reason for coming to Scotland was to help Scottish Sea Farms bring Barcaldine Hatchery into being and see the finished facility deliver its first generation of smolts. With that now achieved, and with five young grandchildren having arrived while I have been here in Scotland, now feels like the right time to return to Norway where I can be closer to my family, young and old, and be part of the day-to-day once again,” Tangvik said.
He will continue to lead the freshwater team until a replacement is found.
Thanking Tangvik for the difference he has made to Scottish Sea Farms’ freshwater farming, managing director Jim Gallagher said that the search had begun for “a stellar candidate to take up the mantle” and “build on the fantastic legacy that Pål leaves behind him” with the freshwater team.
The first generation of RAS-grown smolts was transferred to sea at double the average weights achieved via traditional hatchery methods and are showing excellent post-transfer performance, Scottish Sea Farms said.
Barcaldine has also started to deliver the second generation of smolts reared at the hatchery.
Photo courtesy of Scottish Sea Farms
