Andfjord Salmon has received approval to develop a land-based salmon farm in Breivik, Andoya, Norway.
The company’s zoning plan application was approved by the local Andoy Municipality, moving forward its plan to build a 25,000-metric-ton capacity farm in Breivik, which is in the Arctic Circle.
The zoning plan allows for commercial use of the land designated for the farm site and outlines conservation and design specifications for the farm’s physical surroundings. Approval is a key step towards realizing Andfjord Salmon’s target of eventually producing 90,000 MT of salmon annually, Andfjord Salmon CEO Martin Rasmussen said.
“Developing and operating fish-farming facilities in harmony with the local environment, while capitalizing on the natural advantages of being located at Andøya, is at the core of Andfjord Salmon’s business plan,” Rasmussen said. “We are really pleased that Andøy municipality continues to demonstrate its support to local job and value-creation here at Andøya.”
Andfjord Salmon previously announced it is gearing up to release smolts into its first flow-through pool at its farm in Kvalnes, Andoya, by the end of June 2022. The “natural ocean” pool has a volume of 29,300 cubic meters. Rasmussen said putting fish into the water is a major milestone and he said he is pleased the project remains on track.
The company, which has not yet generated any revenue, recently secured a NOK 50 million (USD 5 million) loan from Sparebank 1 Nord Norge to enable it to complete its phase two project build-out and kick-start its third phase of development. The company’s Q1 report revealed work to build further flow-through pools at Kvalnes is progressing well, with blasting and excavation work underway. When complete, the additional production capacity will up the company’s annual harvest to 12,600 MT. The third phase of the project will be built on adjacent land and will increase the company’s annual production to 19,000 MT, according to Rasmussen. The Breivik site’s production will boost Andfjord’s annual production to 45,000 MT.
Photo courtesy of Andfjord Salmon
