Trond Valderhaug has been named the chief commercial officer of Salmon Evolution, the Romsdal, Norway-based aquaculture firm currently constructing a flowthrough salmon farm in Indre Harøy, Norway.
Valderhaug, who currently works as vice president of sales, Asia, at Mowi, begins in the position on 1 October. He has more than 20 years of national and international sales experience, according to a Salmon Evolution press release.
“I want to apply my experience to help realize this aquaculture adventure,” Valderhaug said. “Becoming involved at an early stage and having the opportunity to influence the commercialization of a quality product in the market are important reasons why I’m [taking] this assignment.”
Valderhaug said he is a believer in the novel land-based farming technology being implemented by Salmon Evolution.
“I am sure that the land-based approach will be part of our future, and I’m convinced that the way Salmon Evolution is doing this – utilizing large volumes of fresh seawater – is the most secure way of implementing it,” he said. “That applies both biologically and in relation to the product we’ll be proudly serving up to the market.”
Salmon Evolution began construction in May on a land-based fish farm on Indre Harøy in Hustadvika municipality, near Ålesund in Central Norway. The project will use a throughflow system, taking seawater from depths of 95 meters and 25 meters, depending on which needs the least heating at any one time. Sixty-five percent of the water will be reused and the remaining 35 percent supply of supplied water will be filtered and temperate seawater.
Seoul, South Korea-based Dongwon Industries, South Korea's largest seafood company, provided NOK 50 million (USD 5.7 million, EUR 5.1 million) in investment in the project in exchange for a 9.7 percent stake in Salmon Evolution in July.
The appointment of Valderhaug means that Salmon Evolution is preparing to commercialize its output, according CEO Håkon A. Berg.
“Our product is due to be on the market within the next two years. Until that time, we will be documenting the advantages of our land-reared salmon and have a strong story to tell,” Berg said. “Trond has long experience and an extensive network in strategic markets. He’s the right person to lead this work, and we’re very pleased to have this expertise in place.”
Photo courtesy of Salmon Evolution
