Important milestone in target to incorporate RAS technology across all SSC freshwater production.
The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) has signed a contract with recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology company Nofitech as part of a £49m investment to create an RAS unit at its Applecross site in Wester Ross, Scotland.
The programme is part of a commitment by SSC’s parent company, Bakkafrost, to invest over £40 million a year in Scotland over the next five years, creating and retaining value in rural Scotland.
RAS technology is an indoor land based aquaculture system which allows fish to be reared for longer in freshwater tanks before being moved to marine sites. Greater control of the freshwater rearing environment means that farmers can produce larger smolt (juvenile salmon) will reduce the marine production cycle which reduces the biological risk of rearing in the marine environment.
Ian Laister, Managing Director of The Scottish Salmon Company, said: “This contract marks the first important milestone in our commitment to incorporate RAS technology across all our freshwater production, which is fundamental to our growth strategy. Nofitech’s experience in this field will ensure that SSC is at the leading edge of RAS technology not only at Applecross but at future freshwater facilities.”
Robert Hundstad, CEO of Nofitech, said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Salmon Company has chosen us as a partner for their comprehensive, exciting and future-oriented RAS programme. Nofitech has, from a strategic perspective, chosen to work only with the most experienced and solid players in the industry and our cooperation with the Scottish Salmon Company and Bakkafrost falls well into this direction.”
