Andfjord Salmon completes first smolt-only production cycle

Norwegian landbased fish farmer Andfjord Salmon has successfully completed its first dedicated post-smolt production cycle following the sale of post-smolts to regional fish farmer Eidsfjord Sjøfarm, it said in a trading update today.

The production cycle was the first in pool K3 at Andfjord’s flow-through facility at Kvalnes, Andøya.

Andford Salmon stocked approximately 550,000 smolts in K3 in early June. Over the past few days, all the fish in pool K3 have been transferred to Eidsfjord Sjøfarm, which has subsequently stocked the post-smolts into marine net pens in the Vesterålen region.

The transfer corresponds to a biomass of approximately 390 tonnes of post-smolts. It is the second time Andfjord Salmon has delivered post-smolts, but the first time the company has run a production cycle dedicated solely to post-smolts.

Above 700 grams

“We have reared the smolts from an average weight of 110 to well above 700 grams in just over four months. This is ahead of the growth table for ocean net pens,” said Andfjord chief executive Martin Rasmussen.

“Faster growth means a shorter runway to revenue for Andfjord Salmon, while
Eidsfjord Sjøfarm gets earlier access to robust fish to release into their ocean
net pens at a time that matches their production plans. Both parties benefit
from the solid biological performance.”

Andfjord Salmon said it will now proceed to empty pool K3 before cleaning, disinfecting and performing periodic maintenance prior to the next stocking.

The company expects to release approximately 800,000 smolts into pool K3 next month. This volume will likely be used partly for post-smolts and partly for
production of harvest-size salmon.

“Our land-based pools and supporting infrastructure provide us with flexibility
to combine post-smolt and grow-out production. This is a resourceful way of
capitalising on available pool capacity without compromising the biology,” said Rasmussen.