FiiZK recently secured a milestone contract to deliver two large closed "Protectus" cages, each with a circumference of 156 meters and a volume of 30,000 cubic meters.
FiiZK
FiiZK, a leading aquaculture solutions provider based in Norway, has appointed SINTEF Ocean’s research manager, Jan Tore Fagertun, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective December 1, 2024.
An expert in aquaculture structures and marine engineering, Fagertun brings nearly 30 years of experience in leadership and technical innovation to his new role leading technology development at FiiZK.
"Jan Tore is what we in football call a 'star signing'. His expertise in aquaculture structures is unique and will benefit both our customers and us at FiiZK," said FiiZK CEO Jan Erik Kvingedal, announcing the appointment in a Norwegian-language press release.
Jan Tore Fagertun, FiiZK's new Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
Fagertun has spent the last seven years at SINTEF Ocean, four of which he worked as research manager focused on aquaculture structures and safety. During his tenure, he spearheaded research on cutting-edge digital solutions for future aquaculture systems, including advanced technologies for exposed environments and submerged or closed aquaculture systems for sheltered waters.
He also led model testing for innovative closed production facilities, including BlueGreen Fusion’s Marine Donut and Aquafarm Equipment’s Neptun v4.
Before his role at SINTEF, Fagertun worked at NSK Ship Design, contributing to groundbreaking aquaculture projects such as Nordlaks' Havfarm and Salaks' FjordMAX. He also held leadership roles in major engineering projects at Equinor and Aibel, specializing in structural and marine engineering.
In his new role at FiiZK, Fagertun will oversee the company’s technology and product strategy, lead the development of closed aquaculture systems, and ensure products meet stringent regulatory and customer standards. Additionally, he will work to expand FiiZK’s technology team and strengthen collaboration with external suppliers.
"I firmly believe that closed fish production will be a central part of future aquaculture and food production systems. We know that closed systems can significantly reduce issues with lice, parasites, and diseases, provide fish with a stable and healthy growth environment, and support circular processes by collecting waste and feed residue," Fagertun said, commenting on his new role.
"I want to drive this development forward, which is why I'm joining FiiZK, a company that shares my ambitions," he added.
FiiZK recently secured a milestone contract to deliver two large closed "Protectus" cages, each with a circumference of 156 meters and a volume of 30,000 cubic meters. The company says this contract represents a market breakthrough for the "Protectus" cage, which combines the best features of FiiZK’s earlier models, refined through more than 70 production cycles.
This year, FiiZK announced it would be focusing exclusively on closed and semi-closed aquaculture systems, supported by advanced software, maintenance, and related services. This followed restructuring undertaken over the summer, first with the sale of FiiZK Digital in July to the Norwegian seafood investment firm Bluefront Equity, and then in August with an agreement to sell its lice skirt production business, FiiZK Protection, to Icelandic fishing industry supplier Hampidjan.