Pure Salmon switches to trout at planned US RAS facility

The company behind a planned land-based fish farm in Virginia in the eastern United States will grow rainbow trout instead of Atlantic salmon at the site, it has been reported.

Local media outlet the Cardinal News said executives from Pure Salmon told municipal officials that it had decided to change species because of inflation and the high cost of construction in the US. Rainbow trout (known as steelhead trout in the US) is generally about US $4 cheaper per pound in stores, which could make it more attractive to consumers worried about rising inflation.

The change was discussed during the April 7 meeting of the Russell County Board of Supervisors in Lebanon, which was attended by three Pure Salmon executives, one in person and two via Zoom, the Cardinal News reported.

Municipal support

Abu Dhabi-headquartered Pure Salmon, owned by Singapore-based 8F Asset Management, gave county leaders an update on the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) project, which will occupy about 200 acres of land behind Southwest Virginia Community College and is getting support from Russell County and neighbouring Tazewell County.

Russell County is to build a 340-metre access road that is required to bring in the 20 miles of water pipes that will be placed underground at the site, and Tazewell County is making water supply and wastewater improvements. Both sub-projects were delayed because of higher-than-expected tenders and a need to wait for grant approval but are now moving forward.

Construction on the water and sewer project is expected to begin in the autumn, about a year behind the original schedule. It’s expected to take about 15 months to complete, with the cost expected to be more than $10 million. 

Pipe placement

Placement of the 20 miles of water pipes needed for the project will likely begin in the third or fourth quarter of this year, Pure Salmon officials are reported to have said.

Late last year, Pure Salmon officials said the fish farm would be fully open in mid-2028. At the meeting earlier this month, Paul Inskeep, the company’s chief operations officer, said the timeframe for opening is now late 2028 or early 2029.

Pure Salmon has an ambition to produce 260,000 tonnes of salmonids annually at RAS facilities strategically placed around the world. Work is advanced on its 10,000-tonnes-per-year Soul of Japan RAS facility in Tsu City, and it has plans for land-based salmon farms in France, Brunei, and a 20,000-tonne RAS in Saudi Arabia. It also has ambitions for five 20,000-tonne facilities in China, and a 20,000-tonne RAS in the land-locked southern African state of Lesotho.

Parent company 8F owns Pure Salmon Technology, a RAS systems supllier based in Norway.