Nordlaks acquires land for new Smolt Facility at Rødskjær
Nordlaks has secured a 70-acre plot at Rødskjær, just south of Harstad, for the construction of its largest smolt facility to date. The purchase, finalized in an agreement with Harstad Municipality, marks the initial step in what could become a project supporting up to 50 direct jobs and over 100 indirectly related positions.
The planned facility, expected to accommodate significantly larger smolt populations than Nordlaks’ existing sites, represents a substantial investment for the company. “If we can achieve what we aim for at Rødskjær, the ripple effects will be significant,” said Nordlaks CEO Eirik Welde. “Each job we create at Nordlaks generates at least two more in related industries.”
Nordlaks bets big on large smolt strategy; invests $40 million in land-based facility
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027, following the necessary regulatory approvals and capital investments. The project underscores the growing trend towards “storsmolt” farming, in which salmon are raised to a larger size on land—up to 1 kg—before being transferred to marine farms. This approach reduces the time fish spend in the sea, minimizing exposure to diseases and parasites like sea lice, and improving fish welfare.
The smolt facility at Rødskjær is expected to be three times the size of Nordlaks’ existing facility at Innhavet, reflecting the company’s strategic commitment to land-based fish farming. Harstad Mayor Kari-Anne Opsal praised the deal, noting that it signals a strong partnership between the municipality and the aquaculture sector.
While the land acquisition moves the project forward, Welde cautioned that final investment decisions have yet to be made, citing ongoing challenges related to the tax burden on the company. “We paid NOK 701 million in taxes last year, a 164% increase from the previous year. This naturally affects our investment capital,” Welde said.
The development of the Rødskjær site, which is considered one of the region’s most promising industrial areas, will commence with land preparations later this year.
