This summer, SalMar completed the second production cycle in the Marine Donut. The project has delivered solid results – both biologically and operationally – marking an important milestone for the technology.
The first prototype of the Marine Donut, along with the associated development license, is owned by SalMar. Bluegreen is the technology provider, responsible for the design and construction of the system, while SalMar has led the operations and execution of the test program.
“We are truly grateful for the trust SalMar has shown in adopting this technology, and for the close collaboration throughout the project. It has been crucial to achieving this milestone,” says Nils-Johan Tufte, CEO of Bluegreen.
The final phase of the test program was completed on Sunday, July 7, when nearly 1,000 tonnes of salmon were harvested from the system. The operation took 12 hours and was described as safe, efficient, and gentle – following risk-reducing measures implemented in close collaboration with SalMar.
“The fish were delivered in excellent condition, and it’s clear that the Marine Donut provides a solid production environment with high fish welfare and minimal stress,” says Tufte.
The harvest marks the end of the second full-scale test cycle, meaning the Marine Donut has now completed the entire measurement program outlined in the development license. Work is now underway on the application to convert the license.
“This is a major milestone for the project and a clear confirmation that the technology works in practice. We now have what we need to move forward with the industrialization of the Marine Donut,” says Geir Andresen, CCO at Bluegreen.
Before the harvest, technical measures were implemented to reduce structural load. These were developed and executed in partnership with SalMar, and contributed to a safe and successful conclusion to the production cycle.
“We’ve learned a great deal along the way and used those insights to improve the commercial version of the technology. Marine Donut 2.0 has already received structural upgrades,” says Andresen, adding that no changes were needed in terms of biological performance – it already performs optimally.
Throughout the entire production cycle, Marine Donut has delivered excellent biological results – with low mortality, strong appetite, and high growth rates. Daily operations and logistics have also worked smoothly.
“This project demonstrates what’s possible when you combine technological innovation with operational expertise from an experienced player like SalMar. We’re proud of this collaboration and excited to keep building future-ready solutions for aquaculture. We’re now looking forward to the next phase: commercializing the Marine Donut,” concludes Tufte.
