HOW LAND-BASED FISH FARMING IS CHANGING SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION: THE PIONEERS OF SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE
A VIDEO FOR FTSE 250 FGEN (LON: FGEN)
Land-based aquaculture is changing the way premium fish can be produced, combining advanced engineering with carefully controlled growing conditions to improve fish welfare while reducing environmental impact.
For this film, we travelled to Rjukan, Norway, where we spent three days filming at one of Europe’s most advanced land-based trout facilities. Set amongst spectacular mountains and powered by renewable hydroelectric energy, the facility combines cutting-edge technology with Norway’s long industrial heritage to produce premium-quality trout for customers across Europe and Asia.
Having spent three days filming at the facility, what surprised us most wasn’t just the scenery or the scale of the operation. It was how clean and meticulously controlled the environment was. For anyone whose perception of fish farming is shaped by stories of sea lice, disease or open-net pens, Rjukan offers a very different picture of what modern land-based aquaculture can look like. The focus on fish welfare is evident throughout the facility, with carefully controlled water quality and growing conditions designed to produce healthier fish while improving efficiency and reducing losses. It feels less like a traditional fish farm and more like a state-of-the-art facility.
In the video interview below, we talk with Simon Martinsen, the CEO of Hima Seafood, which runs the facility.
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ABOUT FORESIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE (FGEN) AND HIMA SEAFOOD
The Rjukan facility is operated by Hima Seafood and forms part of the growth strategy of Foresight Environmental Infrastructure (FGEN), the FTSE 250 investment trust managed by the wider Foresight Group. While many investors know FGEN for its renewable energy assets, the trust also invests in innovative growth businesses that support the transition to a more sustainable economy. Alongside wind, solar and other environmental infrastructure assets, Hima Seafood demonstrates how FGEN is investing in businesses with the potential to deliver long-term growth.
Unlike traditional sea-based fish farming, Rjukan uses a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), where water is continuously filtered, cleaned and reused. This controlled environment helps improve fish welfare, reduces the risk of disease and minimises the impact on the surrounding environment. Combined with access to exceptionally pure mountain water and renewable hydroelectric power, the facility is well positioned to produce premium-quality trout in a sustainable way.
In this interview, Hima Seafood CEO Simon Martinsen explains how the technology works, why fish welfare sits at the heart of the business, and how land-based aquaculture could help meet growing global demand for sustainable seafood. He also discusses the advantages of operating in Rjukan, where abundant renewable energy, clean water and decades of industrial expertise provide an ideal location for this next generation of fish farming.
For us, it was one of the most memorable filming locations we’ve visited. The combination of breathtaking Norwegian scenery, modern engineering and an ambitious vision for the future of sustainable aquaculture made Rjukan a fascinating place to spend time. It’s easy to see why FGEN believes projects like this can play an important role alongside its more traditional environmental infrastructure investments.