Scottish company Landcatch has signed an agreement to become a 45% shareholder in Seattle-based Troutlodge Inc, the world’s largest rainbow trout egg producer.
Landcatch supplies Atlantic salmon eggs and smolts, along with genetic services, to the international aquaculture industry.
An integration process is underway following the conclusion of the deal between the two companies that will lead to them expanding their share of the Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout markets.
Under the terms of the deal, Landcatch will diversify into a new species for the first time and enhanced support will be provided to support the growth of Troutlodge.
As part of the deal a new company, Landcatch-Troutlodge Chile SA, will be formed to establish an independent Atlantic salmon breeding programme, backed by genetics research. It aims to capture a substantial market share of salmon eggs in Chile within 3-5 years.
Troutlodge Chile SA’s existing trout egg production and supply operation will also be developed and expanded. It is also planned to develop a pedigree coho salmon programme to service the Chilean industry. With all three species combined, it is expected that the employment will grow significantly.
A Genetics Support Agreement (GSA) will also ensure that all Troutlodge breeding programmes will be supported by Landcatch and its parent company, Hendrix Genetics, combining pioneering genetic technologies transferred from the salmon and livestock industries with Troutlodge’s decades-long genetic improvement programme.
Steve Brown, CEO of Troutlodge Inc, said: “The collaboration with Landcatch and Hendrix Genetics will bring significant benefits to all three companies and to our customers with the use of advanced technologies to produce better and healthier fish.”
