Bakkafrost’s Bjarni Larsen on exposed open-cage farming in the Faroe Islands.
At the North Atlantic Seafood Forum (NASF) in Bergen on Tuesday, Bjarni Larsen, Farming Manager at Bakkafrost, discussed the challenges and opportunities of exposed open-cage salmon farming in the Faroe Islands.
Larsen, who oversees operations in the company’s South division—home to some of the most exposed sites in the region—highlighted the importance of tailored farming solutions and the company’s focus on optimizing current sites before further expansion.
Optimizing exposed sites
Exposed farming sites present a major advantage in terms of fewer lost feeding days compared to average locations, but success depends on meticulous planning and site-specific strategies, Larsen told the audience at NASF.
Bakkafrost is working to refine its approach, with new technologies and operational adjustments aimed at improving performance.
Larsen emphasized that clean nets are critical for maintaining water flow, net volume, and lice control. Additionally, early results from exposed sites indicate lower mortality rates compared to industry averages, largely driven by smolt quality.
“The goal at the moment is to optimize the current sites before expanding further,” Larsen said. “Once the code is cracked, there is big potential in this farming method. The devil is in the details.”
Bakkafrost’s key takeaways from exposed open-cage farming:
- Exposed sites show lower lice pressure, with natural offwashing from strong currents and waves reducing the need for treatments.
- Smolt quality is a key driver of success, directly impacting survival and growth rates.
- Planning is critical, particularly in challenging weather conditions. Operations must align with tidal currents and wave conditions for efficiency and safety.
- Effective communication before and after heading out to sites is essential for preventive work.
- Tasks must be completed in full before returning—unfinished work can lead to operational disruptions.
- Clean nets play a crucial role in optimizing water flow, maintaining net volume, and controlling lice numbers.
- Exposed sites are performing well in terms of harvest weights, supporting the potential for further expansion.
- New and smart solutions are being introduced to streamline operations and improve safety.
