Salmon Evolution fills first tank in phase 2
The landbased fish farmer has taken an important step towards output of 18,000 tonnes
Salmon Evolution has started 2026 with an important milestone for its land-based fish farming facility on the island of Indre Harøy, Norway. The first tank in phase 2 has now been filled with seawater, the company says in a press release.
Construction work on phase 2 began a year and a half ago, and is designed to increase production capacity of 18,000 tonnes of head on gutted salmon when completed.
According to project manager Kamilla Mordal Holo, the filled tank shows that the systems are working as expected and brings the company closer to its goal of receiving smolts.
Lessons learned from phase 1 have informed the design of phase 2, and although the tank is now filled, testing, verification and final completion remain before the first smolt can be stocked.
"Seeing the water flowing through the system as planned gives us confidence in the next step in commissioning," says Holo.
Phase 1 has 12 tanks, providing the capacity to produce 8,000 tonnes of salmon per year. The construction of phase 2 will increase production capacity to 18,000 tonnes per year, and will give the farming company the ability to harvest fish every week when completed.
The total project cost for the development in phase 2, including civil works and processing facilities, is estimated at NOK 1.6 – 1.7 billion (£123m-£131m). The processing facility constitutes a significant portion of the total project cost.
Expecting tighter market
In an operational update for the fourth quarter of 2025, Salmon Evolution wrote that it was entering 2026 with full biomass, anticipating a tight salmon market, particularly in the first half of the year.
The harvest volumes for 2025 ended at 4,403 tonnes (HOG) compared to 4,891 tonnes (HOG) in 2024, a decrease of approximately 10%. For 2026, Salmon Evolution expects to harvest 7,000 tonnes, an increase of almost 60%.
"The 2025 harvest volumes reflect the strategic priority of maintaining full biomass at the turn of the year," the company wrote in the update.
