Samherji Fish Farming has signed a letter of intent to purchase a site at Helguvík in the Reykjanes peninsula region of south-western Iceland currently owned by aluminium producer Norðurál.
The Helguvík location had been intended for an aluminium smelter, but the project had been repeatedly dogged with setbacks and remains unused. Now Samherji Fish Farming is exploring the possibility of salmon farming on the site.
"Samherji Fish Farming is interested in growing salmon in a land-based farm and is considering the location in Norðurál's assets in Helguvík. In the coming weeks, we will review the preconditions and possibilities for salmon farming in the area before further decisions are made," said Samherji Fish Farming’s managing director Jón Kjartan Jónsson.
Preliminary inspections of the site have begun with a view to adapting the Norðurál facilities for rearing salmon, with a feasibility study to be carried out in the coming weeks. Results are expected before the end of this year.
Samherji already has a harvesting and processing plant in Sandgerði, a nursery and on-growing site at Staður near Grindavík and an on-growing site at Vatnsleysuströnd, all in the Reykjanes peninsula region. In addition, Samherji has a salmon farm in Núpsmýri near Kópasker and a nursery in Núpar in Ölfus. The company’s focus has been on land-based farming and is currently the largest producer of Arctic char in the world with an annual production of almost 3800 tonnes, as well as a 1500 tonne salmon production.
Samherji has held meetings with the Reykjanesbær and Suðurnesjabær municipalities, and responding to enquiries from the mayors of both concerning issues relevant to the region's possibilities for salmon farming.
