Aquaculture supplier FiiZK has secured a contract to deliver two large, closed fish cages to an undisclosed Norway-based fish farmer.
The contract includes the delivery of FiiZK’s “Protectus” closed fish cages, which have a perimeter of 156 meters and a volume of approximately 30,000 cubic meters.
FiiZK will manufacture the cages at its Trondheim headquarters and its Mjåtveit facility near Bergen, with the support of sub-suppliers. The company has not disclosed the contract’s financial details.
“We have spent the past 12 months further developing and enhancing our products, streamlined our business to focus solely on closed and semi-closed fish cages, and prepared our team to provide the best possible support to fish farmers that have closed cages as part of their production strategy. We consider this contract as a confirmation that this is the right strategy for FiiZK,” said Jan Erik Kvingedal, CEO of FiiZK.
Protectus cage features
The Protectus closed fish cage incorporates elements from FiiZK’s previous models—”Certus”, “Ecomerden”, and “Starfish”—which have collectively completed over 70 production cycles. The new model features a floating steel collar designed for longevity and high strength, providing a stable work platform for operators.
The cage’s main barrier is a PVC tarpaulin bag with a volume of 30,000 cubic meters, supported by a net for additional fish escape protection. Six seawater intakes at a depth of 30 meters provide fresh, lice-free water to the cage, with waste and faeces collected via a sludge trap at the cage’s bottom for later handling. A comprehensive sensor network continuously monitors water quality.
The Protectus cage also includes an automated O2-regulation system and advanced controls for managing operations, with alert systems in place for deviations.
“We are experiencing strong and increasing interest in our closed cage systems. Our concept contributes towards more sustainable aquaculture production, which resonates with the demands and expectations of both our customers, authorities, and the end-consumer. We are proud to be part of this development,” added Kvingedal.
Turnaround and focus on closed cages
This contract marks the first for the Protectus system and follows a successful turnaround for FiiZK. In August 2023, Nekkar (39%) and BEWI Invest (41%) became the company’s largest shareholders, helping to refocus FiiZK’s business. The company divested its lice skirt business to Hampidjan Group and sold its digital arm, FiiZK Digital AS, to seafood investor Bluefront.
Going forward, FiiZK will focus exclusively on closed and semi-closed fish cage systems, along with associated software, maintenance, and services.
