"It is part of Nordlak's strategy to bet on larger smolt and this gives us the opportunity to increase our production in Nusfjord considerably,"said Nordlaks Smolt Director, Øivind Skjevling.
Photo: Nordlaks.
Nordlaks, Norway's largest privately-owned salmon farming company, is to invest NOK 400 million into revamping its smolt production site at Nusfjord.
The smolt facility, one of three smolt plants Nordlaks has in operation, is located in the fishing town of Nusfjord in Flakstad municipality, Lofoten. The facility was last renovated in 2007, but the company has been operating there since 1993.
The existing smolt facility utilises flow-through technology, but Nordlaks aims to fully update its operations at Nusfjord with a brand new 6,000m2 RAS plant, the company announced on its website.
Detailing the plans, Nordlaks said it will retain the current facility, consisting of eight outdoor tanks, but will begin by improving infrastructure at the site by building a new quay and road access, together with a new dam. These initial works will be carried out by contractor Sundquist Anlegg AS, the company confirmed.
The site will then be prepared for construction of the new smolt facility near the existing plant. The Norwegian construction engineering company Overhalla bygg AS has been contracted to deliver the new building.
Nordlaks also intends for Nusfjord to have its own hatchery and starter feed, which it says will also "strengthen biosecurity" at the revamped facility.
Detailing its plans, Nordlaks argued that "the need for larger smolt is increasing and this provides benefits both for fish welfare and the environment":
The company points out that using larger smolts mean fish are kept at sea for less time, thus reducing exposure to sea lice and infections.
Nordlaks also says that shorter time in the sea "means we can make better use of the localities and can have longer fallow periods."
Nordlak's Director for Smolt, Øivind Skjevling.
"It is part of Nordlak's strategy to bet on larger smolt and this gives us the opportunity to increase our production in Nusfjord considerably," said Nordlaks Director for Smolt, Øivind Skjevling.
"The fact that we can produce larger smolt on land makes it possible to operate even more sustainably," Skevling said.
In its announcement, Nordlaks noted that Nusfjord is one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fishing villages and says it has maintained "a good dialogue with the landowners in connection with the development".
"Both when it comes to the use of the land and the building, emphasis has been placed on safeguarding the distinctive character of Nusfjord," Skjevling said.
In the same announcement, Nordlaks noted that construction work is also taking place at another of the company's smolt production sites, in Mørsvika.
The company is considering constructing a new building at the site to expand the facility, but said that no firm decision has been made as yet.