A year after the restart, the fish stock is growing at an accelerating rate – the largest fish from the first batch of eggs now weigh over 300 grams

Fish farming operations at Fifax’s Eckerö RAS facility were restarted in March 2023 with the delivery of the first batch of eggs to the hatchery. How are the fish doing now, CEO Samppa Ruohtula?

“The fish from the first batch are currently growing rapidly in the grow-out unit, and we anticipate they will reach their market size in the latter half of this year. The average weight in the tank with the largest fish has now exceeded 300 grams. We expect growth to further accelerate in the upcoming months. The total fish stock has surpassed 160 tons.”

How has the journey of the fish at the facility progressed?

“The first batch of eggs since the restart of production was delivered to Eckerö’s hatchery a bit over a year ago. After hatching the fingerlings spent a couple of months in the so-called First Feed unit, learning to feed, developing their swim bladders, and maturing into small fish. After this critical phase, they were moved to the Fingerling unit where they continue their growth to a size of around 50 grams . In September 2023, we began transferring this batch to our first 12-tank grow-out unit, where they will remain for the rest of their stay at the facility. Subsequent batches have also been advanced to the grow-out unit, where we currently have 11 tanks in use.”

Picture: Rainbow trout leaping in the pool of the grow-out unit.

What are you currently working on?

“The sixth batch of eggs was delivered in March, almost exactly one year after the first. Going forward, new batches will arrive at the facility every couple of months, and the growth of our fish stock in kilograms accelerates. Currently, we are preparing to start the next unit of 12 tanks to accommodate the needs of the growing fish stock. Most technical updates there have been completed, and we have begun filling the unit with water. As the fish stock continues to expand, we plan to start using the third 12-tank grow-out unit in the second half of 2024, at which point our entire production capacity will be operational.”

How has the facility been developed since the restart?

“We have implemented a range of solutions aimed at enhancing biosecurity, water quality, and farming efficiency along with the restart of the production process. We have, among other things, increased the compartmentalization of the facility and the number of hygiene zones, and expanded the capacity of the water treatment technology.”

Water quality is crucial for fish health. How do you ensure its safety?

“The water lifted from the sea is nowadays ozonated directly at our pumping station down by the shore. Additionally, UV water treatment has been expanded to be a part of the individual water treatment unit of facility unit. The water undergoes complete purification every hour. During this cleaning cycle, solid waste, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon dioxide are extracted from the water. Moreover, the pH and oxygen levels of the water are regulated, and bacteria and pathogens are eliminated.”

Picture: The futuristic glow from the UV treatment equipment not only eliminates bacteria and pathogens but also plays a crucial role in the ongoing water purification cycle.

How will the journey of the first batch of fish progress from here, and how will you monitor their growth?

“Over 95 percent of fish growth occurs in the grow-out tanks, with the mass now expanding at an accelerating rate. Fish growth primarily depends on environmental conditions. We monitor the growth and well-being of the fish continuously. We have a targeted growth curve, and we meticulously track a variety of qualitative and quantitative indicators. The metrics of this industry are still being established, and our focus is particularly on monitoring the well-being of the fish.”

When will the first fish appear in the sales counters in stores?

“Our goal is to start shipments and deliveries this year. We are delighted that we have been able to begin preparations to start sales in collaboration with our customers.”