Norwegian cod farming company Purecod AS has received a permit to farm Atlantic cod in closed pens in Røneset, Storfjorden, with the County Municipality of Møre and Romsdal granting a maximum standing biomass allowance of 3,120 tonnes.
According to Purecod, the permit is the first of its class and paves the way for the company to become the world’s first cod farmer using closed pens. It advises that this at-sea farming system significantly reduces emissions.
“This is an important milestone for Purecod, and we believe it is also a gamechanger for the industry,” said Mikael Rønes, CEO of Purecod. “Cod farming is now at a crucial moment of development, and for us to be using cleaner, more responsible farming methods at this early stage is a very significant move in the right direction.”
Purecod maintains that by farming cod at sea in closed pens, it can ensure that the fish grow optimally in their natural environment, free of stressors such as predators or parasites, and at suitable temperature all year round.
The closed pens consist of a double containment barrier that minimises the risk of fish escapes and drastically reduces the possibility of direct interaction with the surrounding environment. These pens are equipped with a waste collection and transportation system that will allow organic matter to be collected safely.
Purecod AS was established in 2020 and is fully-owned by Blue Future.
