South Korea’s first land-based salmon farm begins operations.
South Korea’s first land-based salmon farm has officially commenced operations in Busan, developed by GS Engineering & Construction and operated by its subsidiary Eco Aquafarm. The project uses recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology delivered by Norway-based AKVA group.
The facility, part of South Korea’s Smart Aquaculture Cluster Development Project, has a capacity of 500 metric tonnes of Atlantic salmon per year. It aims to supply the domestic market, which currently relies entirely on imports. The first salmon eggs were stocked in autumn 2024, with the first harvest expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
“This project marks the start of land-based salmon production in South Korea, and we are pleased to contribute with technology and support,” said Jacob Bregnballe, Sales Director in Land Based at AKVA group.
Eco Aquafarm’s facility, located at Pukyong National University’s Fisheries Science Institute in Gijang-gun, utilizes closed-loop filtration to recycle up to 99% of water, reducing environmental impact. Digital monitoring systems have been installed to oversee water quality, fish health, and system performance.
“Through its marine special plant facilities, Eco Aquafarm seeks to realize the public interest in cultivating Atlantic salmon in eco-friendly and forward-looking RAS aquaculture facilities,” said Hyou-Sang Jin, CEO of Eco Aquafarm.
Eco Aquafarm has indicated plans for future expansion, with a second phase targeting a tenfold increase to 5,000 tonnes of annual production. The company plans to invite global investors to participate in the next stage of development.
“While AKVA group takes care of the technology, we focus on keeping the fish in good condition. With the right support and training, we are building the expertise needed for advanced aquaculture in Korea,” said Sang-Jun Dong, Business Development Manager at Eco Aquafarm.
AKVA group has also provided Production Advisory Services (PAS) for the project, including training, documentation, and operational support.