Atlantic Sapphire CEO Pedro Courard.
Photo: ASC / Atlantic Sapphire.
Miami, Florida-based Atlantic Sapphire has released its second-quarter operational update, showing steady biological performance, increased fish weights, and improved sales prices, although total harvest volume declined slightly from the previous quarter.
The land-based salmon farming company reports that it harvested approximately 1,167 tonnes of head-on gutted (HOG) salmon in Q2 2025, down from 1,319 tonnes in the first quarter of the year. However, net biomass gain rose to around 1,697 tonnes round live weight (RLW), up from 1,449 tonnes in Q1, and standing biomass at the end of June reached 3,235 tonnes RLW.
The company reported "satisfactory" operations during the period, with average harvest weights increasing to 3.1kg HOG, compared to 2.6kg in the first quarter. The realised sales price also improved, reaching USD 9.27 per kg HOG, up from USD 8.30.
Atlantic Sapphire CEO Pedro Courard said in the company’s recently published 2024 annual report that his initial efforts after joining the company in August last year had focused on “strengthening our foundations and unlocking the full potential” of the company’s land-based salmon farming model.
A key initiative, according to Courard, has been stabilising water temperatures at the company’s Bluehouse facility in Homestead, Florida, and ensuring biomass is adapted to feeding volumes.
"This has directly improved fish health and production outcomes, enabling us to maintain lower mortality rates and increasing fish growth," Courard stated. "We are in the process of optimizing farm management practices, adopting new strategies to streamline processes, optimize feed conversion, and reduce costs. These measures are already contributing to improved farm performance and setting the stage for future scalability."
The company says it is aiming to reach full Phase 1 production capacity at its Miami RAS facility, which is designed to produce up to 9,500 tonnes HOG of salmon annually. Long-term plans target an expansion to 220,000 tonnes.
According to Atlantic Sapphire, its land-based "Bluehouse" model, which includes the entire value chain from egg to packed fillets, allows it to operate without the environmental risks associated with sea-based net pens, and brings salmon farming closer to end markets, reducing the need for airfreight.
In February, Atlantic Sapphire became the first land-based salmon farmer in the USA to achieve ASC certification.
In the annual report, Courard noted that in addition to the company's improvements to its operations management, Atlantic Sapphire is also prioritising human resources.
"By recruiting experienced aquaculture professionals and leveraging the expertise of our existing staff, we are building a robust, capable and passionate team ready to achieve our ambitious goals," he said. At the end of 2024, Atlantic Sapphire employed 237 full-time staff.