Iceland’s Samherji Fish Farming is exploring the possibility of producing Atlantic salmon at a land-based location currently owned by one of the country’s leading aluminum producers.
The Samherji Group’s aquaculture division and Norðurál, a subsidiary of Century Aluminum, have signed a letter of intent for the purchase of Norðurál's assets in Helguvík in the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Samherji has also started preliminary observations of the local conditions in Helguvík, and the viability for salmon farming. The results of these investigations are expected before the end of this year.
Company representatives have also met with the mayors of Reykjanesbær and Suðurnesjabær, towns in the Reykjavik Peninsula, to inform them about its plans.
“Samherji Fish Farming is interested in growing salmon in a land-based farm and is considering the location in Norðurál’s assets in Helguvík. In the coming weeks, we will review the preconditions and possibilities for salmon farming in the area before further decisions are made,” Samherji Fish Farming’s Managing Director Jon Kjartan Jonsson said.
The company already has operations in the region, including a harvesting and processing plant in Sandgerði, a nursery and on-growing site at Staður by Grindavík, and an on-growing site at Vatnsleysuströnd. Samherji also has a salmon farm in Núpsmýri by Kópasker and a nursery in Núpar in Ölfus.
Samherji Fish Farming mainly focuses on land-based farming and is currently the world’s largest producer of Arctic char with almost 3,800 metric tons (MT) annually. The company also produces about 1,500 MT of salmon.
It has also been expanding its land-based Arctic char farming site at Stadur. The latest construction phase saw three new sea holes drilled into the lava at the production site where the company already operates a nursery and on-growing facilities. These wells will ensure sufficient water delivery for the facility.
This Stadur farm has an operating license for the production of up to 3,000 MT of char. The company also has a license to produce 1,600 MT at its Vatnsleysa facility.
