A new land-based flowthrough is being planned in Bulandet, an archipelago off the west coast of Norway.
Bulandet Miljøfisk, which was founded in 2015, raised NOK 100 million (USD 11.6 million) earlier this year, in collaboration with Norne Securities, to get the long-planned project off the ground. Three main shareholders took up 75 percent of the share issue; Aquaculture Innovation AS, Jakob Hatteland, and Karstein Gjersvik – the latter two of which already invest in other land-based salmon farming concepts.
“Given that Bulandet Miljøfisk is at an early phase, it is very gratifying that shareholders are investing heavily in the company. Our total investment now stands at over NOK 150 million (USD 18.1 million, EUR 10 million), which is significant for the local community, and will provide employment for up to 15 people when the site is fully developed, ” Bulandet Miljøfisk General Manager Hans Haaddal said.
The project aims to provide “as natural an environment as possible” for salmon, according to a company press release. The goal is now to complete construction of the first phase by the end of 2021, and to introduce fish onto the site in the spring of 2022.
In the first phase, the company plans to construct a facility capable of annual production of around 1,000 metric tons (MT) of one-kilogram post-smolt fish for ongrowing in other facilities, in cooperation with Landøy Fiskeoppdrett. A second phase will see construction of additional facilities to produce a permitted maximum 5,500 MT of salmon for market and post-smolts.
It all goes to plan, the company hopes to expand both at Bulandet and at other sites and will develop its business in close collaboration with the value chain in Norway, Haaddal said. The goal is now to complete construction of the first phase by the end of 2021, and to introduce fish onto the site in the spring of 2022.
“Our focus will be on producing a strong, healthy fish, with post-smolts that will do well in traditional facilities, closed facilities or offshore facilities,” Haaddal said.
Bulandet Miljøfisk Chairman Knut Eikeland said turning point had recently been reached in the acceptance of land-based aquaculture facilities, which will help his company achieve its objectives.
“We will see a change in the industry over the next 10 to 20 years in the direction of a more differentiated form of production in Norway. The industry will utilize the natural advantages and expertise we have in Norway, while reducing the environmental impact at the same time. There are strong political guidelines in the direction of closed facilities for aquaculture at sea and in land-based facilities,” Eikeland said.
Photo courtesy of Bulandet Miljøfisk
