Pioneers in fish farming

In the future, the world will need more food. Norway has both experience and competence in fish farming, and can contribute with sustainable fish farming. Several new and pioneering fish farming methods are now being tested. Based in Greater Bergen, Invest in Bergen are helping the companies to find the right industrial area to establish new facilities.

Known for its complete seafood cluster, in Greater Bergen you will find both the University of Bergen, the Institute of Marine Research and several other research facilities as well as many seafood companies. 

Atlantic salmon on shore

Norway is in the forefront when it comes to aquaculture and fish farming, and most of the big companies have their headquarters in Greater Bergen. In the last years new methods of fish farming has been tested, and the most revolutionary is farming on shore or farming in huge cases off shore. There are several new small companies testing brand new and pioneering technology.

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Project Manager Johnny Bernhardsen in SeafoodGroup AS says, “Our aim is an annual production of 20 000 tons of premium quality atlantic salmon with our new farming technology. We have just found the right industrial site to raise the construction. We are applying for concession, and hope to start a pilot plant as soon as possible.”

 Petter Olsen in SeafoodGroup AS. 

New technology

Several Norwegian companies want to test new technology, and this has lately been induced by the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries. As a part of the strategy to increase the overall national production capacity, a white paper stated that as of the summer of 2016, the concessions for land-based fish farming are granted for free.

SeafoodGroup AS collaborate with SIFT Group, which has developed a technology called Super Intensive Farming Technology. The solution consists of shallow water raceways stacked vertically. The water raceways is designed as a velodrome so that the water circulates and the fish may be at an optimum water current and at an optimum water quality. Along with RAS-II treatment technology, this will provide a cost-effective way of land-based fish-farming.

Thanks to Invest in Bergen

“Thanks to Invest in Bergen, we have been able to sign an agreement for an industrial site adequate for our production plans. Invest in Bergen are also supporting the interaction with local authorities to see that we get all the necessary permissions to get started. Without them, we would not have been where we are today,” says Bernhardsen. He is very optimistic and strongly believes SeafoodGroup AS will succeed.
 

Find out more about Bergen's aquaculture industry

Are you interested in setting up a new company in the Greater Bergen region? If so, you could receive crucial support from Invest in Bergen.

Our organization can provide information, introductions to useful contacts, and even help you to find your ideal business location in Greater Bergen. If you’re interested in these services, simply get in touch with us today.