Huon Aquaculture awarded a contract to Pure Salmon Technology to design, supply, and build a new land-based smolt facility in Tasmania, Australia – just days after announcing an investment in its processing capabilities.
Huon Aquaculture said the new contract with Pure Salmon will see the latter company build a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility that will allow Huon to grow larger smolt on land. The company said it plans to design the new facility with flexibility of operations in mind and a high-degree of recirculation to minimize environmental impact.
“Huon has led the way in Tasmania in investments in recirculating aquaculture systems, and the proposed project will more than double our land-based farming capacity,” Huon Aquaculture General Manager Depha Miedecke said in a release.
Huon Aquaculture’s push to grow larger smolt on land is the latest in a trend of large salmon-farming companies emphasizing larger smolt to increase harvests. Norway-based Grieg Seafood has continuously highlighted the importance of its post-smolt strategy, and a Rabobank analysis identified companies are focusing on larger smolt to shorten time at sea and reduce exposure to biological risks.
“Growing larger fish on land reduces the amount of time our salmon spend in the marine environment and supports stable year-round production,” Miedecke said.
Pure Salmon Technology, a member of the Pure Salmon Group, has designed aquaculture operations for a number of major producers, and is also involved in Pure Salmon’s push to establish land-based aquaculture operations worldwide. The project with Huon represents its first foray into the Australian market, Pure Salmon Technology Managing Director Luke Kellgren Parker said. It is also a chance for the company to showcase Fixed Bed Bio Reactor technology, as compared to the MBBR, or Moving Bed Bio Reactor, that the company typically uses, they said.
“This project will demonstrate Pure Salmon Technology's capability to provide flexible, high-performance systems adapted to specific needs to a key player in global aquaculture market,” Parker said.
Huon Aquaculture also announced it is expanding its processing lines with an AUD 9.8 million (USD 6.4 million, EUR 5.5 million) investment in its Parramatta Creek facility. The equipment will include installation of a new filleting line, packing robots, and a packing grader in early 2026.
“We’re seeing strong demand across both local and overseas markets, particularly as we head into the summer peak,” Huon Aquaculture General Manager of Processing Belinda Pratt said. “We expect to process up to 45,000 fish per day with significant expenditure securing employment not only at Huon but also with local suppliers and contractors supporting these significant upgrades to our facility.”
The company said it is also investing in new boats to support its marine operations and that it is investing more than AUD 140 million (USD 92 million, EUR 78 million) in land-based farming infrastructure – including the RAS being built with Pure Salmon.
