AMG Norway, a subsidiary of Aqua Maof Group, was chosen by Grieg NL to build the world's largest indoor salmon aquaculture facility in Newfoundland.
The advanced recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility is expected to commence construction in 2017 and will incorporate Aqua Maof's proprietary RAS technology. The project investment is estimated at $60 million.
Grieg NL is a leading global fish farming company specializing in Atlantic salmon. The state-of-the-art hatchery and nursery facility will be built in Marystown, Newfoundland. The facility, which will deploy Aqua Maof's cutting-edge RAS technology, will produce 7 million smolt ranging up to 1,500 g. Grieg NL will stock 11 sea-cage sites for the subsequent growout and harvest of 33,000 tons of Atlantic salmon annually. The overall project investment is estimated at $200 million.
Aqua Maof's proprietary technology is an efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly articulation of RAS, the announcement said.
The Newfoundland facility will be the largest and most advanced in the world for salmon, according to the announcement. It will join other advanced RAS facilities that the company has built around the world and will be deployed using the technology platform. All facilities are demonstrating impressive production results, the company said.
In addition to the Newfoundland facility, Aqua Maof is in the advanced planning process for seven more facilities in locations across the globe. About 70% of the planned future facilities will be dedicated to salmon.
Construction of the hatchery will be completed in 2017, and construction of the growout sites is slated to begin in 2017 as well. The companies expect the facility's annual production to reach 33,000 tons by 2023, more than doubling Newfoundland & Labrador's current production of Atlantic salmon.
Aqua Maof chief executive officer David Hazut said, "We are happy and honored to be chosen by Grieg NL to build the world's most advanced RAS facility that leverages both our company's technology and aquaculture experience. Indeed, our advanced solution for indoor fish production is sustainable, environmentally responsible and cost efficient. This facility will be another confirmation that our technology is the best solution to the aquaculture industry's challenges and the growing demand for seafood in all markets."
Knut Skeidsvoll, general manager of Grieg NL, added, "We are happy to collaborate with AMG Norway and Aqua Maof to build the world's most advanced RAS facility. Aqua Maof's technology will protect our project's values of sustainability, maintain the highest environmental standards and also achieve the most efficient cost of production, thus contributing to the project's overall success. We see great potential for salmon farming in Newfoundland & Labrador and plan to leverage Aqua Maof's experience and technology to deliver the best production results and become a leading producer of fresh salmon products."
Grieg NL is part of the Grieg Group of Companies, headquartered in Bergen, Norway. With more than 2,000 employees in 15 countries, its main activities, in addition to salmon farming, are deep-sea shipping, logistics and advisory services. Grieg has been involved in salmon farming for 23 years in Norway, Shetland and British Columbia in Canada.
The Aqua Maof Group has more than 30 years of experience in indoor aquaculture technology. Aqua Maof's team of technology and aquaculture experts have been providing research and development as well as comprehensive production, systems and operations solutions for aqua farming in more than 50 locations around the world.