“AquaBoreal has developed a distinctive production model that doesn’t simply reproduce existing RAS approaches, but rather aims to rethink them," according to the company's CTO and co-founder, Manuel Godoy.
Image: AquaBoreal
AquaBoreal has announced its land-based salmon farming project in Baie-Trinité, Québec has now entered the detailed engineering stage and brought in new partners.
Earlier this month, the company confirmed that Québec authorities had issued a ministerial decree allowing it to move forward with the RAS project, having confirmed compliance with the province's environmental requirements following a multi-year assessment process.
AquaBoreal announced today it has signed a collaboration agreement with Danish firm GlobaQ Solutions, which specialises in the design and supply of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), founded by Billund Aquaculture founder Christian Sørensen in 2024.
AquaBoreal said GlobaQ’s ability to translate a “complex and unconventional production model into concrete engineering solutions” was a deciding factor in its selection.
Manuel Godoy, CTO and co-founder of AquaBoreal, said the company has developed a production model that differs from standard RAS approaches, claiming that this “doesn’t simply reproduce existing RAS approaches, but rather aims to rethink them.”
“This unique model stems from the expertise and hands-on experience of some of the most seasoned and innovative RAS professionals in the industry. It focuses on biological performance, rigorous water quality management, energy efficiency and biosafety, all integrated into a coherent, scalable and high-performance design,” Godoy said.
The company confirmed it will also continue working with Quebec-based partners, including engineering firm CIMA+, which has already been contributing to the project over the past two years, and Frare & Gallant, a construction management company with experience in clean industrial projects, which has recently joined the development team.
“The completion of these steps confirms that the project is entering a decisive phase where we must continue to work with the world’s best companies," said Léopold Landry, president and co-founder of AquaBoreal, in a media release, adding that the team is "very pleased" with the progress so far, and also "grateful for the support received from both the Government of Canada and the Gouvernement du Québec.”
“We’re convinced that high-performance aquaculture can be developed right here on the North Shore,” Landry said.
The proposed facility in Baie-Trinité is planned to produce salmon without using antibiotics, using seawater drawn from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In its first phase, the project is planned to reach an annual production capacity of 10,000 tonnes, supplying mainly Quebec and Canadian markets.
The company also said the project aims to support economic activity on Quebec’s North Shore and reduce Canada’s reliance on imported fish.
