Bluegreen
NO

Fact sheet Marine Donut

The aquaculture industry has been identified as an important growth industry when Norway is to become independent of its oil resources. But to ensure that the growth is sustainable, there is a need for new solutions that address the challenges the industry has with regard to escapes, lice and pollution, and not least production costs.

In 2019, the Directorate of Fisheries awarded two development permits for the Marine Donut concept. In the letter of commitment, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries writes: "As a result of the concept being able to help solve several of the environmental and area challenges facing the industry, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries considers that the project involves new and significantly improved production technology."

SalMar assumed commitments for development permits in 2022 and construction of the first Marine Donut started in April of the same year. The facility was completed the summer of 2023, and the first fish stocking was in the spring of 2024.

Download the project fact sheet here

News

Highlights from 2024

Another year is coming to an end – our fourth full year of operations. It would be wrong to say the year has been all highs, but fortunately, there have been a lot more ups than downs. Here are some selected highlights.

Full-scale test Marine Donut with 195,000 salmon: Only 0.8% fish mortality

The first full-scale test of the Marine Donut – Bluegreen's innovative closed fish farming facility for salmon – has delivered very promising results and confirmed that the facility functions as expected. This demonstrates that the technology will be an important step forward for the aquaculture industry.

Marine Donut: Midway report shows promising results from the first production cycle

SalMar has recently published the midway report from the first production cycle with Marine Donut. The report provides a detailed update on the facility's performance so far, highlighting several positive results in areas such as operations, water quality, and fish health.

Marine Donut: In full operation

SalMar now has full operation of the Marine Donut, with 200,000 salmon in the facility. We spoke with the project manager at Bluegreen, Geir Andresen, to hear about the experiences so far.

Successful trial stocking and emptying of salmon in the Marine Donut

SalMar has successfully carried out a trial stocking and emptying of salmon in the innovative Marine Donut, ensuring fish welfare with efficient technology.

Breaking news: Fish in Marine Donut!

Finally, the day we've been waiting for has arrived: Thousands of happy salmon are now swimming in our first Marine Donut! Watch the video from SalMar's fish stocking.

Wellboat test successful - Marine Donut ensures gentle handling of fish

Handling live salmon in a wellboat is risky but a crucial activity for the aquaculture industry. A key objective of the Marine Donut project was to develop a concept that could make the process of transferring fish from the fish farm to wellboats as gentle as possible.

Aquaculture Awards: Marine Donut finalist for "Innovation of the Year"

For the second consecutive year, Bluegreen is a finalist in the "Innovation of the Year" category for our closed aquaculture facility, Marine Donut. The Aquaculture Awards is an annual highlight in the aquaculture industry, bringing together over 600 leaders from around the world.

Bluegreen showcases the Marine Donut and shares insights on closed containment aquaculture with Canadian delegation

A delegation from the Department of Fisheries and Ocean and the Government of Canada recently visited Norway on a study tour to learn more about closed-containment aquaculture technology. One of the site visits was near Molde for a tour of Bluegreen’s Marine Donut.

Local Collaboration: Ranold Expertise Ensured Success

We didn't have to go far to find the expertise we needed to get the groundbreaking "Marine Donut" certified. Ranold, located just across the fjord in Herøya Industrial Park, is among Norway's leading environments in flow expertise.

SkatteFUNN: – Two applications approved

With a position as one of the world's leading players in thermoplastics and specialized expertise in constructing floating closed fish farming facilities, research and development are strategically crucial aspects of our business. We are therefore very pleased to receive notification that two of our projects have been approved for SkatteFUNN over multiple years.

Simulations show: – Most effectiveness with production in so-called "0-lice concept"

Preliminary research findings indicate that production in "0-lice concepts," such as submerged cages, semi-closed, and closed containment systems, is the most efficient way to transition from red to green in the traffic light system.

Marine Donut: Approved Product Certificate. Next step: Enter Fish.

Over the weekend, the good news arrived: Aquastructures has given Marine Donut the "approved stamp," and the facility is now authorized for salmon.

Fish sludge as a factor in a new green value chain

The aquaculture industry is expected to grow significantly by 2050 but is under pressure to grow sustainably to ensure Norwegian exports and global food security. This means finding good solutions to challenges and utilizing resources effectively.

Bluegreen Canada: Approval to Construct the Marine Donut in Newfoundland and Labrador

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has granted Bluegreen Canada environmental approval to build the Marine Donut.

Watch the film: Bluegreen is an “Ocean Titan”

The series "Ocean Titans" showcases businesses that promote the sustainable use and management of ocean resources on Reuters. Bluegreen was handpicked to participate in the series with our Marine Donut.

Floating Closed Containment Systems - Solving the Industry's Challenges

During Aqua Nor, we organized a seminar in collaboration with our friends and competitors, FishGlobe and Ovum. The aim was to put Floating Closed Containment on the agenda and share insights and experiences from our three different concepts - Marine Donut, FishGlobe, and Egget.

Aqua Nor: Meet us at booth A-123.

Aqua Nor 2023 is approaching! Bluegreen is, of course, present, and we hope you'll stop by our booth. The number is easy to remember: A-123.

Technical Weekly: "This donut is set to yield healthier farmed fish."

When the Norwegian Technical Weekly (TU) was preparing a special edition with a focus on the aquaculture industry, Marine Donut was one of the main features. Read the article here.

Watch the movie about the Marine Donut

"I came up with the idea for the Marine Donut in 2015, and after ups and downs, winter and summer, the first facility with a volume of 22,000 m3 is complete!"

Marine Donut: "On its way!"

On Friday afternoon, Marine Donut embarked on its journey from Bamble to Romsdal Fjord, covering a distance of 510 nautical miles.

Free mini-conference at Aqua Nor: "The Future is Now"

Together with FishGLOBE and OVUM, we want to highlight floating closed-containment systems, which we believe is the solution to several challenges that the aquaculture industry is facing right now.

Marine Donut: - Getting closer!

The excitement was palpable as the gigantic closed containment system, Marine Donut, was jacked up and moved from the construction dock onto a barge. There, we will do the final touches and prepare for transport.

Marine Donut is being prepared for launching: The barge is in place.

It requires both cleverness, strength, and precision when transporting a "donut" weighing over 500 tons for 510 nautical miles along the Norwegian coast. The biggest challenge is transferring it from the construction dock onto the barge.

Former Minister of Fisheries: "It is like a cathedral"

Per Sandberg was the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture when Marine Donut was granted a development permit. He remembers the project well and wasted no time accepting our invitation to visit the soon-to-be-completed fish farming facility.

PE 100-RC material supplied by AGRU takes reliability of the Marine Donut to the next level

Austrian company AGRU is one of the world's largest suppliers of thermoplastics. We have been closely collaborating with AGRU for several years, and they have supplied all the thermoplastic materials for Marine Donut.

Bluegreen finalist in Aquaculture Awards

Aquaculture Awards celebrates projects, companies or individuals making an outstanding contribution to the global aquaculture industry.

Marine Donut - should be exempt from resource rent tax?

This is the opinion of Norsk Industri, who visited Bluegreen earlier this week. The delegation from Oslo got the full tour of "The Donut".

Event in Canada: – The Blue Food Solution

Aquaculture is an important part of securing healthy food for the world’s increasing population. But the fish farming solutions have to be sustainable. The event "The Blue Food Solution: Aquaculture Technology Showcase" showcases this.

Christmas greetings from our CEO

- Our second year of operation is coming to an end. 2022 has become a year that has exceeded my expectations - and I'm not known for being modest! Watch a compilation of this year's highlights.

The industry wants to contribute, but need the appropriate conditions.

Let's further develop the Norwegian fish farming industry and export technology, was our message when parliamentary politician Jone Blikra and mayor Hallgeir Kjeldal came on a company visit together with NHO (The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise).

iLaks reports: Bluegreen is happy about the contract with SalMar

The industry media iLaks.no visited Bluegreen last week. They were given a tour of the facility where Marine Donut is being built, and a good chat with our managing director Nils-Johan Tufte.

The Directorate of Fisheries on Donut inspection

Salmon lice, escapes and access to area are among the challenges the Directorate of Fisheries sees within the aquaculture industry at present. The system of development permits will help to solve these challenges. The Directorate of Fisheries is pleased that the Marine Donut concept is now being realized.

Norwegian National Broadcasting reports on Marine Donut

Norwegian National Broadcasting (NRK) joined SalMar and the Directorate of Fisheries on an inspection to see the world's largest "doughnut" being built. See the feature here.

SalMar signs contract to build the cutting edge fish farm Marine Donut.

The idea for the doughnut-shaped fish farm came in 2015. Now SalMar and Bluegreen have signed a contract to take over the development permits and build the first Marine Donut. This will become the world's largest construction in thermoplastics.

Marine Donut arriving in Canada for sea trials

A scaled model of the closed-containment fish farm Marine Donut has arrived in Newfoundland to be modified and tested locally. The aim is to build a full-scale model in the province for ocean trials over the next growing season.

Bluegreen subsidiary established in Canada

We have established a Bluegreen subsidiary in Canada, aiming to introduce the Marine Donut to salmon farmers in the Americas.

Seminar at Aqua Nor: State-of-the-art Solutions for Closed Fish Farming

Together with Uponor Infra, Waister and Signify, we have the pleasure of inviting you to a seminar during the Aqua Nor trade fair. The topic is "State-of-the-Art Solutions for Closed Fish Farming" and we will present four important disciplines for eco efficient fish farming.

Innovative product for the future aquaculture industry

In order to increase fish production and ensure good fish welfare, we must find solutions to the challenges of escape, lice and overconsumption of medicine and feed. The new, sustainable and cost-effective product Marine Donut, solves these problems, writes Fiskeri og Havbruk in an article about Bluegreen.

Fantastic start to the first operating year

We know from experience that two things are crucial for the success of a start-up: the right partners and ongoing solid control of the economy. That is why we have hired Erik Ritch-Reinfjord from BDO as our CFO. We have a fantastic first quarter behind us, and are poised to turn over tens of millions in the start-up year. In this article from Finansavisen, Erik and Nils-Johan talk about the collaboration.