SalMar and Lerøy team up for closed cage project

The project involves the construction of six Aquatraz C2 units delivered by Seafarming Systems. 

 

The Seafarming technology has been developed in collaboration with SalMar and Lerøy, building on the experience gained from the Aquatraz S1 delivered to Lerøy and the first four Aquatraz cages developed for SalMar.

 

Each unit has a water volume of 70,000 cubic metres, with six water intakes at 35 meters depth to ensure lice-free water and efficient water exchange. This will double the volume for closed production in Norway. 

 

The two companies said the main goal is to help solve key challenges related to sea lice and emissions.

 

In an upbeat message, Frode Arntsen, CEO of SalMar said that if the project goes according to plan, the fish will be released into the units in early 2027.

 

Henning Beltestad, CEO of the Lerøy Seafood Group ASA, added: “We have worked purposefully and systematically with technology development for many years, and have come a long way with submerged cages and testing of semi-closed solutions. Now we are taking this a step further.”

 

Both companies stressed that the project was not a signal that all production should be transferred to closed systems, but a clear response to the industry’s and authorities’ shared desire to develop new solutions that can contribute to sustainable growth in Norwegian seafood production. 

 

They said they were clear that traditional technology will continue to be the important foundation for Norwegian aquaculture, not least in more weather-exposed locations, and further development of this equipment technology will go hand in hand with investment in new technological solutions.

 

Alf Reidar Sandstad, CEO of Seafarming Systems, said the Aquatraz C2 is the result of more than 10 years of development work, with continuous improvement and learning from practical operation.

 

“This gives us a solid technical and biological basis for taking the next step in the development of closed systems,” he added.