Proximar hires new operations chief

New chief operating officer Martin Vestergaard has more than 20 years of experience in the aquaculture industry, with a strong background in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) production and management, the company says in a stock exchange announcement.  

Proximar says the appointment strengthens its operational leadership as its facility in Japan moves from its initial production phase to stable, full-scale commercial operations, it says.

“Martin has spent his career building and running RAS operations with a strong focus on biological and operational performance, and we are very pleased to have him join the team. Proximar is now entering a phase of stable operations and increasing harvest volumes. Going forward, Martin will play a key role in realising the company's full potential,” says Proximar chief executive Joachim Nielsen.

Former COO stays on

Dharma Rajeswaran, who has been chief operating officer since January 2022, will remain with the company in the role of farming advisor. 

"His in-depth knowledge of the facility and broad experience from aquaculture will continue to benefit the organisation going forward," writes Proximar.

Vestergaard's experience in aquaculture and RAS operations includes 12 years at Aquapri in Denmark and later operations management roles in Switzerland, most recently at Valperca SA, which grows perch in a RAS facility in Raron, a mountain municipality in the south of the country. 

He will be based at Proximar's facility in Oyama, in the shadow of Mount Fuji, where he will be responsible for day-to-day operations and work towards continued improvement of technical and biological performance.