Kallsjon, Sweden-based Cold Lake AS has announced plans to produce Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility on the edge of Lake Kallsjön, and has signed a deal with Alpha Aqua to design and deliver the project.
The design process is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, with construction beginning in early 2022, with the first fish stocked in Q4 2022. The company's aim is to produce around 4,000 metric tons (MT) per year by 2025, with fish processed at an automated state-of-the-art facility also owned by Cold Lake.
“Arctic char have been the subject of a breeding program in Sweden for restocking for more than 40 years, and the strain is well-developed," Cold Lake CEO Jens Nilsson told SeafoodSource. "From egg to plate is expected to take just under 18 months and we are calling our fish Kallsjöröding, which means Cold Lake Arctic Char in English."
Lake Kallsjön, near the mountain resort town of Åre, Sweden, is known for its low temperature and the purity of its water, and the delicate taste and texture of the wild Arctic char that live there. The company intends to combine this natural resource with the latest technology in fish farming to produce a superior, sustainable fish, Nilsson said.
The project is timely, according to Nilsson, as there are fears that the natural population in the lake may be threatened by rising temperatures caused by climate change.
Nilsson is currently in the process of bringing investors onboard to back the project and said there has been considerable interest in Sweden, where land-based aquaculture is beginning to gather momentum. Nilsson said developments in RAS technology have in large part been driven by its wide adoption in Norway, where it is predicted that up to 150,000 MT of salmon will be farmed on land by 2024.
“Beyond the sensational taste experience of Arctic char, this is firstly an investment in sustainability and securing future food production from climate changes, water shortages, and pollution,” Nilsson said. “The best way to ensure this development in a capital-driven market is profitability and growth. We believe we can achieve high grades in both measures.”
As a native fish to Sweden, Arctic char has been a national favorite for centuries, but it is little-known outside of Scandinavia, which is where the initial marketing effort will be concentrated, followed by a roll-out across Europe.
Nilsson said this company's fish will be produced in line with the United Nations' global goals for sustainable development, which he said align with expectations from the next generation of consumers. It will also be the first Aquaculture Stewardship Council-certified char.
“Our stated aim is to be climate-neutral within five years of starting production at our first facility and we will work hard to achieve this,” he said. “If all goes to plan and we can increase demand for Arctic char, our model can be used to create many more RAS facilities for this fish.”
Photo courtesy of Cold Lake
