BioMar is expanding research and development activities at its Aquaculture Technology Centre in Hirtshals, Denmark, as it targets new species for its global portfolio.
The move reflects growing demand for species-specific nutritional solutions as aquaculture diversifies across regions and production systems. Increasing focus is being placed on species such as yellowtail kingfish and barramundi, which are gaining importance in key markets including Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia.
“Expanding into new species is a natural step as aquaculture continues to evolve,” said Simon Wadsworth, global R&D director at BioMar. “Our role is to generate the scientific knowledge needed to support farmers with reliable, well-documented nutritional solutions adapted to each species and production environment.”
The Hirtshals facility is the largest research centre within BioMar’s global network and among the most advanced in Europe. It features 15 experimental trial units, 27 recirculating aquaculture systems and more than 350 tanks, enabling controlled trials across multiple species and life stages.
Historically focused on cold-water species, the centre has built extensive expertise in salmon, trout, seabass and seabream, supported by decades of nutritional trials and lifecycle research. In recent years, it has increasingly shifted towards warm-water species, conducting successful trials with yellowtail kingfish as part of its expanding scope.
BioMar is now introducing barramundi as a key focus species for upcoming research. Planned projects will explore feeding strategies, biological performance and predictive modelling, with the aim of improving production outcomes across diverse farming conditions.
“For BioMar Australia, barramundi and yellowtail kingfish are two of the most promising species in Australian aquaculture,” said David Whyte, managing director of BioMar Australia.
“They are central to the growth of the country’s warm-temperate and tropical sector and we need to support the fishes’ nutritional requirements under Australia’s range of production systems and environments.”
