Norway – The King of Salmon

Norway is the greatest marine aquaculture nation in the world! There is no other country that farm as much marine fish as we do. How come aquaculture became such a giant industry along the Norwegian coast? To answer this, we must consider the natural environment, as well as the knowledge and determination of the people involved in the industry. In this installation, you will discover what makes Norway the world’s leading marine aquaculture nation.

You will also gain an insight into why just salmon is the primary farmed fish in Norway. Which characteristics make this species the chief inhabitant of our coastal zone?

The perfect coastline

Norway has a coastline that gives perfect conditions for aquaculture. Islets and rocky reefs give protection from the mighty and unpredictable ocean. At the same time, the water quality is impeccable. The Gulf Stream ensures stable temperatures and the currents transport pure and oxygen-rich water to the pens.

In earlier days, we believed that the northern parts of the country had poor conditions for producing salmon, due to low temperatures and rough weather. However, this could not be further from the truth. The northern parts of the coast give great conditions for aquaculture farming, with stable temperatures and plenty of suitable locations. In the last decade, the salmon production in Troms and Finnmark has almost tripled, while the rest of the country increased its productions by 40 %.

Pure freshwater

One of the most important resources in Norway is the pure freshwater. Small mountain lakes with trickling streams and great rivers are found all over our country. This access to freshwater is an integral part of the success story.

In the wild, the salmon spend their first years in the rivers. This is where they evolve from eggs, to yolk-sac fry, and further to small parr. When the parr develop to smolt, they are finally ready to meet the great ocean. In aquaculture, we try to replicate the natural environment, ensuring plenty of pure freshwater for these initial stages of life.

Knowledge from fisheries and agriculture

The story of the Norwegian aquaculture industry is one of innovation and determination, where combining important knowledge from both fisheries and agriculture was crucial to its successes.

The fishers had the experience from the sea and knew how to develop cages that would withstand waves and strong winds, while agricultural knowledge on breeding and nutrition was invaluable in the domestication of wild salmon.

Husøy [© 123RF.com / irmoske

Vibrant coastal communities

One of the main reasons why we have succeeded with aquaculture farming in Norway is the capable people along the coast. The industry requires people working the facilities, as well as truckdrivers, economists, salespeople and advertisers. From Vest-Agder in the south, to Finnmark in the high north, we find costal communities with hard working people, ensuring thriving salmon and that care is taken in all parts of the production. It is first and foremost these people that make Norway an aquaculture nation.

Healthy, strong and tasty

Salmon is probably the best farmed fish imaginable. You may not have previously realized how large the salmon eggs really are? They are the size of a pea, and compared with other fish eggs, they are gigantic. The advantage of having large eggs is that they develop into robust yolk-sac fry that manages really well in aquaculture.

Another advantage is that salmon have large muscles, or fillets, and these are the most valuable parts of the fish, as well as the easiest to cook with. Last, but not least, the salmon is a healthy food source and tastes absolutely wonderful!

For Norway

Salmon farming has become a big industry and provides revenue and jobs along the whole Norwegian coast. 5800 people work in the various aquaculture companies, but the industry contributes plenty more jobs than that!

Many companies have specialized on delivering equipment, feed and services to the aquaculture industry. These companies employ more than 9500 people. In addition, the aquaculture industry contributes with 12 000 jobs in other businesses, like in transportation and mechanical industry. Altogether, more then 27 000 people work in connection with the aquaculture industry.

For Troms

Troms is the second largest aquaculture county in Norway, providing 757 jobs in the companies here. Many of these jobs are in one of the processing plants, while others are in the hatcheries, farm facilities or in administration.

In addition to these company employees, more than 1000 people work in sectors delivering goods and services to the aquaculture industry. Some produce feed, while others work with fish health, or transportation of fish and goods.

For Senja

Senja is an important aquaculture region in Norway, with 26 farm facilities in the four municipalities. SalMar Farming AS Nord, has its headquarters in Finnsnes. The office comprises 20 people keeping an overview of all of SalMar’s activities in the two most northern counties of Norway.

Just recently, SalMar opened one of the world’s biggest hatcheries in the municipality of Tranøy. 16 people are employed to produce salmon smolt to the fish farms in Troms and Finnmark.

In addition to all who work in the aquaculture companies in this region, there are a great number of people working in companies delivering goods and services to the industry here.

One million tons

In 1990, Norwegian fish farm production finally exceeded 100 000 tons. 22 years later, production had increased tenfold; one million tons of salmon!

Every single day, we export 11 million salmon meals to Europe, 2 million to Asia, and a further one million to the rest of the world. In total, 14 million meals of Norwegian salmon are sold each day!

Eksport

Sushi and Ceviche

Norwegian salmon is “big in Japan”, embraced by French Michelin chefs, and a favourite in many active homes around the world.

The salmon can be prepared in various ways. The bone free fillet is easy to cook and will decorate any dinnerplate! You may also eat it raw, like the Japanese prefer it, or you might try marinating it in citrus juice, and enjoy it as a Latin-American ceviche. Or try baking it in the oven with olive oil and serve it up like in a French street restaurant. Norwegian salmon has become a favoured ingredient in both traditional and experimental dishes all over the world.