Work is underway at the land-based salmon farm owned and operated in Öxarfjörður by Icelandic seafood company Samherji that is expected to ramp-up its production by around 3,000 tonnes annually.
The expansion of the Silfurstjörn fish farm, which is projected to cost in the region of ISK 2 billion ($15.7 million), is part of Samherji’s plans to produce 40,000 tonnes of salmon through aquaculture over the coming years.
Arnar Freyr Jónsson, operations manager of Fiskeldi Samherji in Öxarfjörður, said that it was a pleasure to start the practical construction of the enlargement.
“The preparation naturally takes time, such as working on planning issues, permit applications and more. This is probably the largest project in the field of employment in the area since Silfurstjarnan was built in 1998,” he said.
Samherji confirmed that five new tanks will be built, and these will be about half the size of the largest existing tanks. The new tanks are expected to come on stream next autumn.
It also highlighted that the expansion of Silfurstjörn is a precursor to a larger project in Reykjanes, where a land farm powered by hot springs will be built.
According to Jónsson, Samherji will take advantage of the experience gained in the north when the construction begins in Reykjanes.
