Benchmark : Aquaculture’s role in achieving UN development goals

The salmon industry definitely has environmental challenges which it needs to solve. But while aquaculture of some species is still in its infancy in terms of technological development, the global salmon industry is advanced and technologically developed. Many of these solutions have been developed in Norway and can improve aquaculture, and the production of healthy food, on a global basis.

We see examples of this every day. In Norway, Benchmark's subsidiary Salmobreed has developed strains of salmon that are more resistant to sea lice as well as a number of common salmon diseases. This not only improves fish welfare, but it also reduces the industry's impact on the environment. Through breeding new strains, we can prevent the negative effects of salmon farming. We have, among other things, almost eliminated the highly damaging IPN virus by using modern breeding technology to select fish that are naturally resistant to the disease.

We are now using this technology and knowledge to farm shrimp and tilapia more sustainably in other parts of the world. Tilapia is a vital source of food for millions of people, especially in developing countries. New ways of breeding tilapia more sustainably make it possible to produce healthy food for more people, use less medicines, and reduce the industry's environmental footprint.