Laxey transfers first post-smolts to grow-out tanks

Salmon farmer Laxey, based on the island of Vestmannaeyjar off Iceland's south coast, has reached a major milestone in its land-based aquaculture operations with the transfer of its first batch of fish from the post-smolt facility to the on-growing tanks. It said this marks a significant step toward establishing long-term, large-scale production.

The tanks, each 28 metres in diameter and 13 metres tall, hold up to 5,000 cubic metres of seawater, pumped from deep boreholes to ensure optimal water quality.

This marks the completion of the first phase in Laxey’s six-phase development plan. In each phase, eight tanks will be constructed and brought online. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce up to 42,000 tonnes of salmon annually.

Closed-loop hatchery

The project began with the construction of a state-of-the-art hatchery in Friðarhöfn, at Vestmannaeyjar's port, utilising a closed-loop RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) that minimises water use through advanced filtration and reuse. The hatchery, the first of its kind in Iceland, became fully operational in August last year.

The first smolt transfer to the post-smolt unit took place in November, followed by a second batch in April. To date, five batches have entered the production cycle: three are still being raised in the hatchery, while two have progressed to the grow-out tanks.

The post-smolt and grow-out facilities are at Viðlagafjara, on the east coast of Vestmannaeyjar, a a couple of kilometres from the hatchery

Construction has remained on schedule, advancing alongside the development of biomass. The first harvest is planned for autumn 2025, and preparations for a processing facility, to be located in Viðlagafjara, are already under way.