Holmøy Maritime, Eidsfjord Sjøfarm, and Biomar have initiated a circular raw material collaboration in the production of food for short-distance voyages, in which they will use the residues generated from the fishing activity to become part of the salmon food.
A project that is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and enhances the circular economy in the industry, explained Knut Roald, the Holmøy Group's CEO. "Parts of the fish that were not used before are now an important part of ensuring healthy and sustainable raw materials for food," he added.
According to reports, it is estimated that up to 130,000 tons are for unused residual raw material from the oceanic fishing fleet. Thus, in this reality, the company saw great potential to use the parts of whitefish that are not for human consumption, specifically as a feed ingredient for salmon.
Therefore, the waste generated by the Holmøy Group on the four ships owned by the Prestfjord shipping company will become part of the fish feed used for the salmon in Eidsfjord Sjøfarm with the collaboration of Biomar.
Thus, Biomar continues to advance its commitment to environmental engagement, both on average greenhouse gas emissions and on the 1.5°C target. Moreover, the company has developed a long-term master plan focusing on broader operations and partnerships in the aquaculture industry. The objective of these would be to create innovative solutions that will make sustainability economically profitable. This project is one of the examples.
Furthermore, the Prestfjord shipping company has invested in an oil and meal factory on board two of its fishing vessels. This inversion enables them to conserve the residual raw material, converting them into materials suitable for food. The residual raw material is unloaded, like the fish processed on board, at Holmøy's main base in Vesterålen.
Håvard Jørgensen, CEO of Biomar Norway, explained that this confirmed the willingness and ambition to contribute to ecological change among the companies in Northern Norway. He added, "Such cooperation ensures local ownership, value creation, and a circular utilization of short-haul raw materials that ultimately become good and healthy food. The collaboration is an important step in the right direction to ensure sustainable production of Norway's most important livestock."
Holmøy Group is a Norwegian company with both a shipping and aquaculture side. On the one hand, aquaculture has 16.5 salmon farming concessions distributed in six municipalities located in Nordland and Troms. On the other hand, their main activity is fishery. For doing so they have four modern trawlers with quota units for whitefish and shrimp, and salmon production.
Eidsfjord Sjøfarm, the other company mentioned in the article, is the aquaculture company of the Holmøy group. The company has 35 employees spread over its locations. The administration and growth center are located in Holmen Industrial Area, Sortland.
Biomar has positioned itself as a leading global provider of high-quality diets. The company formulates its products specifically for more than 45 different species of fish and shrimp, serving clients in 80 countries. Founded in 1962 by a group of Danish fish farmers who shared a common vision. A vision that is based on promoting responsible and sustainable practices within the aquaculture industry.
