Andfjord Salmon is located far north in Norway’s Arctic archipelago of Vesterålen, on the island of Andøya. Photo: Skretting

Where Biology Meets Technology: Skretting and Andfjord Salmon Redefine Sustainable Aquaculture

In Norway's Vesterålen archipelago, a groundbreaking partnership between Andfjord Salmon and Skretting is redefining fish farming. Their collaboration focuses on developing custom feed solutions for closed aquaculture systems, yielding record-setting sustainability metrics and setting a new global benchmark for the industry.

ANDØYA – In the remote and pristine environment of Norway’s Vesterålen archipelago, a strategic alliance between Andfjord Salmon and Skretting is making significant waves in the global aquaculture industry. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between advanced biology and cutting-edge technology by developing bespoke salmon feed specifically tailored for land-based aquaculture. Their collective goal is to establish the most sustainable shore-based salmon farming facility in the world.

Photo: Andfjord Salmon AS. Click on the image to enlarge it

Andfjord Salmon, renowned for its Closed Aquaculture System (CAS) on the island of Andøya, has from its inception sought to operate with unparalleled environmental responsibility. This ambitious mission found a perfect match in Skretting, a global leader committed to sustainable feed solutions. Their collaboration extends beyond a typical supplier-client relationship; they are actively co-engineering a transformative model for the future of salmon farming.

Tailor-Made Feed for a Unique System

From the earliest stages of development, Andfjord involved Skretting as a strategic collaborator rather than merely a feed supplier. "It was a dream for me to create our own feed – I thought it would take three to four years, but with Skretting, we were up and running from the start," stated Christian Halmøy Torgersen, COO of Andfjord Salmon.

Photo: Andfjord Salmon AS

Andfjord’s innovative CAS design utilizes gentle laminar water flow and shallow pools to meticulously replicate natural ocean conditions. However, this unique environment presented a technical challenge: standard feed pellets were sinking too quickly for the salmon to consume efficiently. Skretting's response was swift and effective: they developed custom "slow-sinking" pellets, which dramatically increased feeding efficiency by 60% in just three days.

Furthermore, integrating a recirculation component into the feed's design allowed for more effective binding of faeces. This innovation resulted in cleaner tanks and a higher sludge collection rate per kilogram of feed – both crucial elements for superior environmental performance and optimal fish health within the closed system.

Photo: Andfjord Salmon AS

Record-Setting Results and New Industry Standards

The combined innovations have yielded remarkable results, setting a new benchmark for land-based salmon farming. Andfjord's first production cycle showcased:

• A 97.5% survival rate, indicating exceptional fish welfare and system robustness.

• An outstanding Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of 1.05, demonstrating highly efficient conversion of feed into biomass.

• A 91.1% superior quality share, highlighting the premium quality of the harvested salmon.

• An incredibly low energy consumption of only 1 kWh per kilo of salmon produced, emphasizing the system's energy efficiency.

These figures underscore the immense potential of tailor-made solutions in the aquaculture industry, solidifying Andfjord Salmon's position as a leader in sustainable production.

Innovation Beyond Nutrition: Pioneering Sustainable Ingredients

The collaboration extends beyond performance metrics to actively explore sustainable ingredient sourcing. Andfjord has partnered with Skretting to experiment with innovative feed components. One significant advancement included replacing traditional fish oil with algae oil to boost omega-3 levels, thereby reducing pressure on wild marine resources. They also successfully trialed Calanus, a locally harvested zooplankton species, as both a protein source and a natural attractant in the feed.

"This is about more than feed," emphasized COO Torgersen. "It’s about designing systems where the technology serves the biology, not the other way around."

Expanding the Vision for the Future

As Andfjord prepares for a major expansion, with new smolt releases into additional pools planned for 2025, Skretting remains deeply involved. Their advisory role extends to critical areas such as feed distribution technologies, light regimes, and hydrodynamic systems, ensuring continued optimization and scalability.

Truls Dahl, Commercial Director for CAS at Skretting, highlighted the invaluable nature of this hands-on relationship: "Our early partnership with Andfjord allowed us to deeply understand their environment and deliver effective, tailored solutions. This collaboration has been a learning experience for both companies."

In an era where sustainability and food security are global imperatives, the collaboration between Andfjord Salmon and Skretting offers a tangible model for scalable, eco-friendly aquaculture. Their pioneering work suggests that, with the right partners, land-based salmon farming can not only compete effectively with traditional ocean farming but may also illuminate the path toward a more responsible and sustainable future for seafood production worldwide.

As Torgersen concluded, "The main factor in our success will always be the people – but the feed is a good number two. And our partnership with Skretting is just getting started."

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