Bakkafrost : signs contract to build new smolt hatchery in Skálavík in the Faroe Islands

07.11.2023

Bakkafrost has committed to build a new recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) smolt hatchery in Skálavík, Faroe Islands. The hatchery will have a total capacity of 28,600 m³ and is expected to be up and running in late 2026.

The annual production will be around 6.5 million smolt of 500g.Once the Skálavík hatchery is completed, Bakkafrost's annual smolt production capacity will be in excess of 24 million smolt of 500g.

"With a new state-of-the-art hatchery in Skálavík, we continue to expand in order to achieve our goal, which is to reduce biological risk, improve efficiency and increase organic growth", says Regin Jacobsen, CEO at Bakkafrost. "This is yet another important step towards farming salmon for a longer period on land."

The Skálavík hatchery follows the recent expansions of Glyvradal, Norðtoftir and Viðareiði and is a part of the Bakkafrost's 2024-2028 investment plan. Bakkafrost partnered up with Nofitech for the expansion of Glyvradal and the ongoing construction of the Applecross hatchery in Scotland. Nofitech is also selected to build the new hatchery in Skálavík.

Robert Hundstad, CEO at Nofitech, welcomes the opportunity to join forces with Bakkafrost for another smolt hatchery project.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with Bakkafrost and be a part of yet another exciting project in the salmon farming industry."

By using the same design and technology for smolt hatcheries, Bakkafrost expects to achieve standardisation and knowledge sharing in the freshwater department.