SIFT's pilot farm for Atlantic salmon in Tromsø.
SIFT Group.
Norway's SIFT Group has announced successful results with the first batch of salmon harvested from its pilot land-based RAS farm, which utilises a vertical raceway structure for salmon grow-out.
"The weight is 5 kg and the taste is like a wild salmon," CEO and founder Torbjorn Trondsen wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing the project results.
"These fish have been swimming an impressive 50 km daily in our raceways, thriving in up to 200 kg/m3 densities. They are active and lean, with a fillet fat content of only 6%, compared to the more sedentary farmed salmon in sea cages, which can reach 12-18%," he added.
On its website, SIFT says its is planning to scale up the farming concept, which comprises vertical raceways stacked at up to 10 independent levels.
"The company is now planning a full-scale commercial demonstration farm with an annual capacity to harvest some 1,000 tons. Subsequently a production expansion to 35,000 tons a year will take place on our available plot of land being three hectares outside Tromsø," the company states.
"The company has received a Norwegian pilot license for production of 20 tons per year, which will be updated step-by-step to a 35,000 tons full-scale facility," the company adds.