Atle Eide participating as speaker in NASF 2020 as Chairman of the Board of Salmar Aker Ocean.
Photo: Global Seafood Alliance.
In a very personal statement posted on his LinkedIn profile, which he titled 'A Time for Transition', veteran Norwegian aquaculture executive Atle Eide announced his decision to step down as Executive Chairman of Nordic Aqua Partners.
"It has been an honor to serve as Executive Chairman through these defining years," he wrote. "At the same time, the role has been demanding and all-consuming, and with retirement age now behind me, this is the right moment to step down. I have, some time ago - informed the Nomination Committee of my decision."
Eide, who timed his announcement to coincide with the publication of Nordic Aqua Partners' annual report for 2024, said that from now on, he will focus on his own personal investments, a few selected board positions, and mentoring founders/startups related to new technologies.
In addition, he said he looks forward to reflecting - "maybe even publicly" - on the future of "our fantastic industry" and the urgent need for enhanced new technology development, supported by the entire salmon sector.
In his emotional farewell speech, the now former Executive Chairman of Nordic Aqua Partenrs wanted to review the company's history as the first commercial-scale RAS Atlantic salmon producer in China.
"When Nordic Aqua began this journey, few believed it was possible to raise large Atlantic salmon on land—least of all in China," he recalled. "But our CEO, Ragnar, together with his co-founders - Ove Nodland in particular - and a remarkable team, has proven otherwise. In a state-of-the-art Akva Group facility, they have turned bold ambition into everyday reality."
"Now, as Nordic Aqua advances toward the development of a 20,000-ton salmon farm, the team is setting its sights even higher. With a new target of 7 kilos average live weight, we are positioning ourselves to lead the ultra-premium segment of China's high-end Atlantic salmon market," Eide continued.
"It has been an extraordinary experience to witness the growth of Nordic Aqua - from construction to production, and from egg to smolt, grow-out, processing, and now 7-kilo, large premium salmon. This success belongs to Ragnar and his team: a young, passionate group of Chinese salmon farmers, supported and mentored by seasoned experts from Norway, the Faroe Islands, Denmark, and Chile," he concluded his review.
Nordic Aqua, which started 2024 with its first harvest and the launch of its trademark 'Nordic PureAtlantic' but also had a difficult second half of the year after facing an operational hurdle when an off-flavor problem required the company to pause harvesting, has now overcome the challenges and in February 2025 successfully resumed sales of its premium salmon in the Chinese market.
