An Atlantic Sapphire photo from October showing the hatchery building, right, almost complete. Photo: Atlantic Sapphire

Positive results for Atlantic Sapphire hatchery trials

On-land salmon producer Atlantic Sapphire has had a postive year according to an update posted on the company website.

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It has completed a 90-day onsite hatchery trial that has validated water quality and local growing conditions at the facility it is building in Miami, Florida. It plans to introduce 800,000 salmon eggs to the hatchery this month.

The 380,000-square foot Phase 1 facility is in its final construction stages and will have six independent grow-out systems.The company is spending $100 million on Phase 1 of the project, which is expected to produce 10,000 tonnes of salmon per annum, and up to 90,000 tonnes once the second and third phases are complete.

Atlantic Sapphire has received the “Key to the County” from the city of Miami - an honour given to companies and individuals who bring positive impact to the community.

Economic impact

An economic impact report estimated that the project is responsible for 2,745 direct and indirect jobs. The total capital investment was quoted to be $585 million. 

The Norwegian owned company’s other on-land facility, in Denmark, moved its first fish moved into new grow-out tanks in October, with water quality parameters meeting plan.

An expansion of the site is expected to be completed next month, and normalised annual production of 2,400 tonnes HOG is expected from Q2 2019.

The company said Phase 1 of the US operation will benefit from valuable commissioning and biofilter startup experience gained in Denmark.