Jan Feenstra has been in charge of Mowi Ireland since 1997. Photo: Mowi.

Mowi Ireland chief Feenstra to retire next year

Jan Feenstra, managing director of organic salmon farmer Mowi Ireland, is to retire at the end of June next year after 40 years in aquaculture.

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Feenstra first joined the Irish operation in 1982 when it was called Fanad Fisheries which at that time had a 50/50 joint venture with Mowi, the company said in a press release. He took over the leadership in 1997 and participated in several ownership and name changes over subsequent years.

Long tenure

Mowi chief executive Ivan Vindheim said: “I am most grateful for Jan’s long tenure with our company, during a period that has seen our Irish business unit grow into a world-leading supplier of premium organic salmon.

“Jan’s vast experience raising organic salmon and his ability to lead a highly effective and motivated team will be difficult to replace, so we are pleased that Jan will continue to support Mowi throughout 2022 in order to share his knowledge.”

‘Not for the faint of heart’

Reflecting on his four decades of working in salmon aquaculture, Feenstra said: “This business is never boring and certainly not for the faint of heart when working in the wild and natural environment. Our company’s success over these years comes down to the commitment and efforts from our staff and my colleagues – they made it easy for me and I am most grateful to them over the 40 years that I have been here.”

Feenstra said that he is looking forward to spending more time on outdoor pursuits and personal projects. 

Mowi will begin a leadership recruitment process early next year.