A salmon adventure with Andfjord Salmon and OptoScale
On Andøya, at the edge of the vast Norwegian sea, you’ll find Andfjord Salmon — an ambitious company with a bold goal.
Their mission? To build one of the world’s most environmentally and fish-friendly farming facilities — on the salmon’s terms.
The Gulf Stream’s stable sea temperatures give Andfjord Salmon a unique advantage. Warmer water in winter means better biological conditions and a lower risk of winter ulcers.
As a land-based farming facility, they pump in water from the ocean depths, thereby avoiding sea lice and algae issues. This gives them a clear advantage in today’s aquaculture industry.
In the first phase of construction at Kvalnes, Andfjord Salmon plans to build 4 new pools. This will give them a total of 5 pools, equivalent to a production capacity of 8,000 tons of gutted salmon by 2025. Their goal is 40,000 tons.
Even with the best natural advantages, precise tools are essential to reach full potential. With support from the tech company OptoScale, Andfjord Salmon now aims to lead the way in fish welfare.
“We have always believed that nature’s solutions can be combined with technology to create the best environment for the fish. Our contribution isn’t just about producing salmon; it’s about finding solutions that can benefit the industry as a whole,” says Christian Halmøy Torgersen, COO of Andfjord Salmon.
The choice of technology has largely been based on an extensive pilot project between Andfjord Salmon and OptoScale over the past year.
Together, they have analyzed and evaluated the precision of collected fish data, assessed the potential for development, and discussed the opportunities that arise from such insights. Both parties agree that there is untapped potential in land-based aquaculture.
““With the production pace we see in land-based farming today, we are constantly dependent on having full control of our pools — both in real time and for the future. For that, we need technology that delivers precise and reliable data,” ” forteller Christian Halmøy Torgersen, COO i Andfjord says Christian Halmøy Torgersen, COO of Andfjord Salmon.
Torgersen explains that OptoScale was involved early in the process: “Their technology provides us with the insights needed to understand the full picture of our pools. From health monitoring to growth data and slaughter predictions — we get all the information we need to operate the facility optimally. Simply put, they give us a solid foundation for decision-making, both for daily operations and strategic planning.”
Christian Halmøy Torgersen COO Andfjord Salmon
From the Gulf Stream to the future of salmon production
Andfjord Salmon’s farming facility is built on a simple yet powerful idea: using nature’s own resources on the salmon’s terms. Oxygen-rich water is pumped into the pools from the Gulf Stream at depths of 40–50 meters — far below the levels where sea lice and algae thrive. Combined with a laminar water flow that ensures even oxygen distribution and efficient waste removal, the salmon enjoy optimal growth conditions.
This approach has already delivered industry-leading results for Andfjord. During the pilot phase, the company achieved highly impressive numbers: a survival rate of 97.5%, a feed conversion ratio of 1.05, and energy consumption of just 1 kWh per kilogram of salmon.
These are more than just numbers — they are a clear indication that Andfjord Salmon’s model delivers strong results for both the environment and fish welfare.
OptoScale – The technology behind precision insights
OptoScale, which turns 10 in 2025, currently delivers precise insights into fish weight, lice, and welfare — based on thousands of daily images.
Next year, they are also launching version 3 of their current bioscope — an “all-in-one camera” that includes a feed camera, among other features. This is something Andfjord Salmon greatly values, Torgersen explains.
“Having a partner that constantly pursues development and innovation is important to us. In addition to the ‘all-in-one camera’ coming next year, it’s exciting that OptoScale is also involved in various research projects — including studies on salmon gill activity. This is of great interest to us.”
“We see this partnership as an opportunity to help Andfjord Salmon achieve their ambitious goal of becoming the world’s most fish-friendly farming facility,” says an enthusiastic Sven Jørund Kolstø, CEO of OptoScale.
“Andfjord Salmon is an innovator in the industry, and we are very proud that our solutions can contribute to their success. At the same time, they are great at challenging us as a company, keeping us on our toes. Together, we make each other better.”
A partnership that elevates the industry
With Andfjord Salmon’s focus on long-term sustainability, efficient systems, and close collaboration with technology partners like OptoScale, they are not just building a facility — they are creating a model for the future of aquaculture.
“This is not just a journey for us, but for the entire aquaculture industry. We want to show that it’s possible to produce salmon in a way that is profitable, environmentally friendly, and prioritizes fish welfare.”
“OptoScale has a team that understands the complexity and has solid experience from the industry. They know the land-based segment in Norway well, making them an ideal partner for us. We’re excited!” concludes a smiling Torgersen.
Christian Halmøy Torgersen, COO Andfjord Salmon, and Andreas Bollingmo, Sales Manager OptoScale
