From wolves to lumpies
A Norwegian farmer aims to grow 5 million lumpfish a year in a facility which had been used to produce Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus).
Previously known as Tomma Steinbit (wolffish) the company has now changed its name to Tomma Rensefisk (cleanerfish).
“Wolffish haven’t been a success,” managing director, Runar Fjellgaard, admits to kyst.no. “It has been difficult to achieve the results that we want and hard to commercialise given our small level of production.”
They now plan to establish lumpfish production at the company's existing onshore facilities in Husby.
“The locality is well suited to lumpfish production and we see that there is an urgent need for cleaner fish in the salmon industry. However, we need significant modifications before we can start production,” says Fjellgaard.
“Catfish thrive at the bottom and need less water, while lumpfish are more spread out and need a larger area,” he adds.
The company intends to produce five million lumpfish each year and plans to begin the reconstruction of the plant as soon as possible.
“We can’t start until the right equipment has been delivered, but we'll start right away when we are ready,” Fjellgaard says.
