Benchmark Genetics Norway AS has hired Øyvind Brevik to be its salmon fish health manager, making him responsible for fish health and welfare in all global production units connected with the aquaculture genetics company’s Atlantic salmon breeding programs.
The new position reports to Rudi Ripman Seim, Benchmark's head of production in Norway and head of the company's global fish health program.
“I am very pleased that we have managed to attract Øyvind Brevik to join us. His knowledge and experience within fish health are widely appreciated in the aquaculture industry and [will] ensure we stay in the forefront of biosecurity,” Seim said.
Prior to joining Benchmark, Brevik had been senior researcher in the global R&D fish health team at Cermaq for more than a decade. In the role, his focus was on applied science and using the best available knowledge to solve key fish health challenges.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Benchmark Genetics team and [to] work with fish health and welfare on an egg-to-egg perspective with world-leading breeding programs on Atlantic salmon,” Brevik said.
Brevik has a master's degree in aquamedicine and a doctorate in intracellular bacterial fish pathogens from the University of Bergen. The author of over 20 peer-reviewed publications, Brevik has in-depth knowledge of emerging diseases, diagnostics, biosafety, and fish welfare, according to Benchmark.
Earlier this month, Benchmark Genetics secured a contract for the long-term supply of Atlantic salmon eggs to the Singapore-based land-based project Singapore RAS.
Singapore RAS is in the final phase of financing the first construction phase of a 1,000 metric tons (MT) capacity facility. It is also planning an expansion of up to 3,000 MT in the next stage of construction.
The company has worked on plans for the local production of salmon since January 2020. If successful, it will be the first Singaporean producer of the fish, with all products going to the domestic market.
Benchmark will supply genetics from its Icelandic facilities to Singapore as soon as the hatchery and freshwater site are in operation, projected in 2023.
Photo courtesy of Benchmark Genetics
