Gigante Salmon starts first harvest

The fish have shown positive development throughout the quarter, and the standing biomass at the end of the period was 1,070 tonnes, the Norwegian company reports.

The facility construction is in the final phase, with two out of three production basins completed, on track for the planned ramp-up to full annual capacity of approximately 16,000 tonnes HOG by 2028.

"Completing another production basin is a milestone, but even more gratifying is the fact that we have now delivered the first salmon grown in our facility," says CEO Kjell Lorentsen.

Gigante Salmon AS has initiated harvesting from the trial production, expecting a total volume of approximately 550 tonnes HOG.

Key highlights from Q1: 

• Standing biomass at the end of the period: 1,070 tonnes
• Certification achieved in accordance with the GlobalGAP standard 
• Production basin B completed and testing initiated 
• In production basin C, all walls have been cast; the casting of partition walls is in its final stage 
• All marine and diving operations completed

The company's facility in Rødøy comprises three production basins, of which one is in operation and another is ready for production start. The facility is located in an area with favourable seawater temperatures and close proximity to aquaculture infrastructure and competence.

As reported in the previous quarterly report, the project’s progress has been slowed by inclement weather. Delays normally result in increased costs, and the company continuously monitors cost development. We continue to expect that costs will slow during the final phase of construction. To manage the liquidity risk in the final phase, a shareholder loan of up to NOK 50 million will be established with the main shareholder, Gigante Havbruk AS. This will be entered into on terms equivalent to the company's other financing.

The company plans to release 2.2 million smolt during the third quarter.