Huon Aquaculture partners with Pure Salmon for new smolt facility in Tasmania

Huon Aquaculture has confirmed that it will partner with Pure Salmon Technology AS for the design, supply, and installation of a new land-based smolt facility planned for construction in Tasmania that is scheduled to commence in Q3 2025, with full commissioning expected in 2027.

To ensure optimal biosecurity, water efficiency, and fish health, the facility will feature state-of-the-art Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology. As a result, it will enable the on-land cultivation of larger fish and will double Huon’s land-based farming capacity.

"Growing larger fish on land reduces the amount of time our salmon spend in the marine environment and supports stable year-round production. Pending regulatory approvals, we're looking forward to working with the excellent team at Pure Salmon and local contractors, including electricians and builders, to bring this project to life," detailed Depha Miedecke, Huon's General Manager of Aquaculture.

Pure Salmon Technology has extensive experience in delivering land-based aquaculture systems worldwide. In February, it confirmed that it will supply its services to Lødingen Fisk's new smolt facility in Vestbygda, Nordland, Norway. The company has also established an office in Australia, which will be led by the Operations Director Australia, Patrick Tigges.

Regarding this, Managing Director of Pure Salmon, Luke Kellgren Parker, explained: "This project not only marks our expansion into the Australian market but also showcases the delivery of a facility built around Fixed Bed Bio Reactor (FBBR) technology — a tailored solution for Huon that complements our traditional MBBR offering."

The Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology is a bioreactor technology developed by Pure Salmon. The company has also developed an automation platform specifically designed for land-based aquaculture.

"We are proud that our portfolio company, Pure Salmon Technology, has been selected by Huon Aquaculture for this landmark project. This collaboration highlights the strength of Pure Salmon Technology’s advanced RAS solutions and its ability to deliver sustainable, high-performance systems tailored to the needs of leading aquaculture operators," concluded Founder & Chairman of 8F Asset Management, Stephane Farouze.