All in the family

Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett, a small family-owned fish farming company located on an island off Norway’s west coast, stands out in today’s aquaculture industry with its unique approach and dedication to sustainable practices.

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(Høvik, October 9, 2024) In the last decade, increasing demand for farmed salmon has attracted investment from corporate venture capital, resulting in the doubling of farmed salmon in Norway alone.  While this growth has helped generate good profitability for both new and existing players, the environmental impact of fish farming has raised concerns among regulators, NGOs and local communities.

Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett has been a part of Norway’s aquaculture industry fordecades.  But as a family-owned company whose senior management lives and works where they farm fish, ensuring environmentally sustainable operations goes beyond regulatory compliance. “The Olsen family have lived here for generations, so the island and the waters where we raise our fish is home,” says Alf Gøran Knutsen, Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett`s Managing Director. “We feel a special responsibility to ensure the health of our fish, marine biodiversity and our local community.”

Proud history

Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett was established in 1976 by Alf Olsen, a commercial fisherman, together with his son, Geir. Like many fish farms at the time, the company struggled to manage lice and other parasites, so like other farms, used additives to improve their yield. Ownership passed to Geir's daughter, Ida, and two sons, Gjermund and Håvard and in 2008, Knutsen stepped in as CEO and the company embarked on a new direction.

Knutsen, an economics teacher and athletics coach at Kvarøy island’s only school, married Ida, and to his surprise, was asked to serve as Managing Director. “I had worked on the farm but didn’t have any experience running a company,” he says. “But with the support of the family, we made a commitment to raise high quality fish in an environmentally responsible way. And because there are just four of us, we can make swift decisions without the red tape that often encumbers larger corporations.”

Pioneering technologies

The company’s ability to move quickly has resulted in the development of some pioneering technologies, including working with a fish feed company BioMar, to develop a feed solution that includes protein rich microalgae. It not only produces healthier fish but is also less harmful to the marine environment. And to manage sea lice without pesticides or cleaner fish (lumpsuckers or wrasse), Kvarøy partnered with a Norwegian-based supplier to pilot the Stingray Laser system, which uses lasers to remove any opportunistic pests from the salmon’s scales, without harming the fish. Additionally, Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett`s commitment to sustainability is reinforced through certifications that contribute to trust and transparency, meeting the rigorous standards set by discerning buyers.

“We are also exploring the potential of AI and blockchain to enhance data-driven decision-making,” he says.  “Although still in the early stages, these technologies promise to streamline operations and improve chain of custody transparency, which builds trust with consumers and distributors.”

Big break

The company’s focus on sustainability helped them secure a partnership with Whole Foods Market, the American multinational supermarket chain. By 2012, the company was able to scale its operations to meet Whole Foods' demands, making sustainability a core part of its business model. "In partnering with Whole Foods, we found not only a market for quality fish, but a shared commitment to sustainability,” says Knutsen. "This collaboration not only enabled us to meet their rigorous standards but also inspired us to continually innovate and improve our practices to minimise our impact on the environment.”

Taking care of the community

The family has also invested in the growing community in Kvarøy. “A number of our employees have paired up and started families, so the island’s population has slowly grown from 52 residents in 2005 to 97 today,” says Knutsen. “To bolster this growth, we have built playgrounds and offered subsidised housing. And to help diversify the island economy, we have invested in a café, a pub and a restaurant. We have also funded a facility on the island that uses salmon sludge to produce herbs and salads, thus converting salmon waste into edible products.”

Looking ahead, Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett is focused on expanding its product range, developing new offerings like salmon burgers, sausages and nuggets. The company has also invested in a new processing plant near the airport to improve delivery times and lower corresponding C02 emissions.  "Innovation drives our expansion, but our commitment to quality and sustainability remains our core mission," explains Knutsen. "Through continuous improvement and adherence to industry-leading certifications, we ensure that every product bearing the Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett name reflects our values and meets the highest standards of excellence."

Knutsen acknowledges that Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett’s journey from a small fishery to a force in sustainable aquaculture has not been easy but says that he is proud of the progress the company has made.  “We still have a lot of work to do, especially within fish feed, but by working together with partners, employees and the local community, we can ensure our growth ambitions remain consistent with the vision of our founders.”

About Kvarøy Arctic (Kvarøy Fiskeoppdrett)

Kvarøy Arctic is a third-generation family-owned sustainable salmon farm located on the island of Kvarøy in Norway. Known for their commitment to sustainable aquaculture, Kvarøy Arctic produces high-quality, sustainably raised Atlantic salmon. They are a member of the Global Salmon Initiative and adhere to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) rigorous standards, ensuring minimal environmental impact and a focus on fish welfare. Kvarøy Arctic's innovative practices include using non-GMO feed, enhancing fish health and nutrition, and collaborating with technology partners to improve farming methods and reduce environmental footprints.

About DNV

DNV is one of the world’s leading certification bodies. Through management system certification and training services, DNV helps companies manage risks, assure compliance and sustainable performance of organizations, people and value chains across all types of industries. With a specific focus on the food, beverage and aquaculture sectors, DNV helps companies tackle food safety, sustainability, environmental and quality challenges from farm to fork.

Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV’s digitally enabled certification services help customers be transparent and build trust in their own operations and toward stakeholders.