Laxey completes first salmon transfer to land-based grow-out tanks in Iceland.
Laxey has completed the transfer of its first batch of salmon from its post-smolt facility to on-growing tanks, marking a key operational milestone in the development of its land-based aquaculture project in Iceland.
The transfer marks the start of the grow-out phase at the company’s site in Friðarhöfn and completes the first stage of Laxey’s six-phase development plan. Each phase includes the construction and commissioning of eight tanks. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to reach an annual production capacity of up to 42,000 tonnes.
The grow-out tanks, each measuring 28 meters in diameter and 13 meters in height, can hold up to 5,000 cubic meters of seawater. The water is drawn from deep boreholes to maintain consistent quality and environmental control.
The project began with the construction of a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) hatchery, which became fully operational in August 2024. According to the company, the hatchery is the first of its kind in Iceland and is designed to minimize water usage through filtration and reuse.
The first smolt transfer to the post-smolt unit took place in November, with a second batch following in April. To date, five batches have entered the production cycle—three remain in the hatchery while two have now moved to the grow-out phase.
Construction has proceeded in parallel with biomass development. The first harvest is scheduled for autumn 2025. Laxey has also begun preparations for a processing facility, which will be located in Viðlagafjara.