Record from Austevoll Seafood

The Group also achieved stable high prices for its pelagic products for consumption, atlantic salmon and trout. Sales prices achieved for fishmeal in Q4 2009 have been higher than the prices in Q4 2008. The fish oil prices in Q4 have been considerably lower when compared with prices in Q4 2008. The price trend for fishmeal and fish oil has shown an increase in the fourth quarter also. EBIT before value adjustment of biomass in Q4 2009 was NOK 423 million (Q4 2008 NOK 149 million). EBIT after value adjustment of biomass in Q4 2009 was NOK 488 million (Q4 2008 NOK 266 million). A write-down was carried out in Q4 of NOK 14 million, mainly related to fishing vessels which have been phased out in Peru. Income from associated companies for Q4 totalled NOK 23 million (Q4 2008 NOK 46 million). The largest associated companies in 2009 are Br. Birkeland AS, Norskott Havbruk AS (owner of the fish farming company Scottish Sea Farms Ltd.) and Shetland Catch Ltd. The Group's net interest costs in Q4 2009 totalled NOK -59 million (Q4 2008 NOK -76 million). The reduction in net interest costs was generated by a decrease in liabilities throughout the year and a lower interest rate when compared with the same period last year. The Group's net other financial costs in Q4 2009 totalled NOK 2 million (Q4 2008 NOK - 73 million). The result after tax for the quarter totalled NOK 335 million (Q4 2008 NOK 103 million).