Matorka advances broodstock programme with support from Hólar University.
Icelandic land-based Arctic char producer Matorka has reported progress in its broodstock development programme, following three years of internal work supported by Hólar University.
The company began developing its own broodfish using genetic material from Hólar, with the first eggs arriving in 2023. Several hundred fish are now housed at Matorka’s Fellsmúli facility, where two distinct groups of future breeders have already been secured. The oldest fish are now approaching three years of age and weigh up to 5kg, with first spawning expected shortly.
According to Matorka, the broodstock facility will later be repurposed for fingerling production once a larger, dedicated breeding site is constructed as part of the company’s expansion plans.
The company is working closely with Hólar to ensure year-round egg availability by using environmental cues to encourage out-of-season spawning. The project was led by the Fellsmúli team, with operational support including life-support system installation and maintenance carried out in-house.
In a LinkedIn post, CEO Christo du Plessis said he was proud of the work by Neil Stallard, Jóhanna Hlöðversdóttir and the rest of the Fellsmúli team in reaching this stage of broodstock development.
