Welcome   Sponsored By
Subscribe | Register | Advertise | Newsletter | About us | Contact us
   


The Grøntvedt brothers' salmon farm at Hitra, 1972. Credits: Nationalbiblioteket, Magnus Berg

Celebrating 50 years of modern aquaculture

Click on the flag for more information about Norway NORWAY
Saturday, May 30, 2020, 21:00 (GMT + 9)

This spring marks the 50th anniversary of the first ever successfully farmed salmon in Norway. Five decades later we look back on a story of ambition, collaboration, setbacks and successes, culminating in a fish which is now a favourite on dinner plates across the globe.

From its humble yet ambitious beginnings along the coast of Norway in the spring of 1970, salmon farming has grown into a global industry at the forefront of new technologies.

Norway was the first, and remains the largest Atlantic salmon farming nation, producing more than half of the world’s farmed salmon along its ideally placed long coastline providing ample cold and clear waters year-round.

It is hard to imagine a world where salmon, whether served in sushi, smoked on a bagel or pan-fried with vegetables, didn’t exist on menus or dinner plates across the world. But the history of salmon as a mainstream year-round food staple is a relatively new one, and one which perhaps wouldn’t have been if it weren’t for two seafood loving entrepreneurial brothers.

Once upon a time in Norway…

Like many traditional Norwegian fairytales, this story also begins with brothers working together, coming up with clever ideas to overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers. Except in this story there are no trolls and no princesses, there many more heroes along the way, and the grand prize is arguably much greater.

On 28 May 1970, on the island of Hitra off the coast of Norway, brothers Ove and Sivert Grøntvedt put in their floating open net pen the salmon which would grow into the very first successful generation of farmed Atlantic salmon. Together, they lay the foundations of modern aquaculture in Norway and abroad.

14 million meals every day

Salmon farming has come a long way since then, and today Norwegian salmon is a global commodity. Every single day 14 million meals of Norwegian farmed salmon are enjoyed on dinner tables and in restaurants across the world.

As the world looks to more sustainable food production, modern aquaculture technology represents a major contributor both to meet the ever-increasing demand for proteins and as part of the solution to battling climate change.

50 years of salmon history

1971: The brothers Grøntvedt harvest the very first generation of successfully farmed salmon. Several other salmon farms follow suit.

1973: The Norwegian parliament introduces a new law for salmon farms, to regulate fish welfare and quality. It also aims to ensure the growing new industry would benefit small communities along the coast, and not just a few big commercial players.

1970s: Norwegian aquaculture is growing at a rapid pace, approximately 40% every year between 1972 and 1975. Salmon is becoming profitable, selling at prices equivalent to up to 10 times of today’s salmon price.

1978: Salmon farming is growing so fast that a temporary stop to new locations is introduced

1980s: There are now salmon farms along the entire Norwegian coastline, from Rogaland in the South to Finnmark in the North. Salmon from Norway is conquering the European and US markets.

1981: The responsibility for the ever-growing industry is moved from the Ministry of Agriculture to the Ministry for Fisheries.

1983: With rapid growth comes big challenges. Illness is a problem for many salmon farms, and the fish farmer’s sales organization establishes a joint project to work on fish welfare and research into fish health.

1986: The global sushi trend is born: “Project Japan” headed by Norwegian pioneer Thor Listhaug aims to double Norwegian exports of salmon. It marks the start of salmon in sushi – a Norwegian invention!

 

"Salmon samurais", Project Japan in 1986

1986-1991: Norwegian salmon exports grow 250 percent in this period, far exceeding Listhaug’s ambitions. The introduction of salmon in sushi plays a major role, in 1980 Norway exported 2 tonnes of salmon to Japan, 20 years later the volume reached 40 000 tonnes.

1990: Total production has reached 170 000 tonnes, compared with 8 000 tonnes in 1980 and 500 tonnes in 1970.

1990s: Norwegian scientists together with the industry introduces some of the first vaccines for fish. Several new vaccines are developed making the use of antibiotics in Norwegian salmon farming almost obsolete.

1995: The number of salmon and fjord trout farming locations in Norway reaches 1 220.

2005: The Norwegian parliament passes the “Aquaculture Law”, aiming to support profitability of the sector whilst safeguarding sustainable development.

2011: Norwegian salmon farmers come together in a joint commitment to reduce escapes and salmon lice, which have been major challenges for the industry.

2015: Norway is the largest producer of Atlantic salmon in the world, 53 percent of all farmed salmon comes from Norwegian fjords.

2017: Technological advances are making salmon farms safer and more productive. “Ocean farm 1” becomes the world’s first remotely operated ocean farm with space for up to 1,5 million salmon.The farm is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and digital systems to control fish health and the environment.

2018: Effective vaccination programs means the use of antibiotics in Norwegian salmon farming has been reduced by 99 percent since 1987. Less than 2 percent of Norwegian salmon has been treated with antibiotics.

2020: More offshore salmon farms are starting production, representing a new era for the industry.

2020: 14 million meals of Norwegian salmon are eaten every day around the world. Norwegian salmon is the most preferred fish in the world*

*NSC Seafood Consumer Index 2020

Source: Norwegian Seafood Council

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media


 Print


Click to know how to advertise in FIS
MORE NEWS
Spain
Jul 11, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
PERTE Mar-Industria Success: €40 Million Allocated to Boost Sector Investment and Sustainability
Iceland
Jul 11, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
MMC First Process to Deliver Advanced Fish Welfare System for Samherji Fiskeldi's Icelandic 'Salmon Garden'
Kenya
Jul 11, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
Victory Farms Pioneers Sustainable Tilapia Farming in Africa, Joins ASC Improver Programme
Morocco
Jul 11, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Morocco's Aquaculture Sector Flourishes, Targeting 71,000 Tonnes Annually
Norway
Jul 11, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
BioMar More Than Doubles Vitamin D Levels in Salmon Diets, Enhancing Fish Health and Consumer Nutritional Value
Argentina
Jul 11, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Argentina's Fisheries Exports until May 2025: Squid Drives Growth, Shrimp Suffers Drastic Fall
France
Jul 11, 00:10 (GMT + 9):
Norway Dictates Global Salmon Market as Prices Trend Downward in 2025
Chile
Jul 11, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other media | MundoAcuicola: Australis advances its antibiotic-free production and strengthens health monitoring
Spain
Jul 11, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | Industrias Pesqueras: Pesca España raises its voice against illegal fishing during Vigo SeaFest
Norway
Jul 11, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | Fish Focus: Norwegian salmon continues to lead global sushi category
Norway
Jul 11, 00:00 (GMT + 9):
Other Media | fishfarmingexpert: Robot net cleaner maker Remora raises £12m for expansion
Peru
Jul 10, 06:00 (GMT + 9):
IMARPE Debunks Single Jumbo Squid Population Theory in the South Pacific
United States
Jul 10, 05:30 (GMT + 9):
ASMI: 2025 Weekly Alaska Salmon Harvest Update #4
Argentina
Jul 10, 05:00 (GMT + 9):
IN BRIEF - Subarea 12 in Argentina Opens for Commercial Shrimp Fishing
Russian Federation
Jul 10, 02:30 (GMT + 9):
Russian Far East Reports Strong Start to 2025 Salmon Fishing Season



Lenguaje
FEATURED EVENTS
  
TOP STORIES
Norwegian Cod Exports Navigate Quota Cuts with Record-High Prices and Strategic Market Shifts
Norway Despite significant volume drops across categories, Norway's cod industry secures unprecedented values for fresh, frozen, and cured products, buoyed by strong demand and the growing role of farmed cod...
Norwegian Shellfish Exports Shatter Records: King Crab, Snow Crab, and Prawns Drive Unprecedented Growth in First Half of 2025
Norway Surging demand, strategic market shifts, and increased quotas fuel a multi-billion dollar bonanza for Norway's valuable crustaceans. OSLO – Norway's prized shellfish sector has reported an extr...
Galician Fleet Sets Sail for Falklands with Cautious Optimism Amid Loligo Squid Uncertainty
Spain Despite sharp declines in recent seasons and unanswered questions about stock migration, nearly 1,000 crew members embark on a crucial four-month campaign vital to the region's economy. Vigo/Mar&iacu...
IMARPE Debunks Single Jumbo Squid Population Theory in the South Pacific
Peru Peru's Marine Institute (IMARPE) has refuted recent statements suggesting a single jumbo squid population unit in the South Pacific, asserting that no conclusive scientific evidence supports this clai...
 

Umios Corporation | Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Nichirei Corporation - Headquarters
Pesquera El Golfo S.A.
Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A
Wärtsilä Corporation - Wartsila Group Headquarters
ITOCHU Corporation - Headquarters
BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH+Co.KG (Head Office)
Inmarsat plc - Global Headquarters
Marks & Spencer
Tesco PLC (Supermarket) - Headquarters
Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd. - Group Headquarters
I&J - Irvin & Johnson Holding Company (Pty) Ltd.
AquaChile S.A. - Group Headquarters
Pesquera San Jose S.A.
Nutreco N.V. - Head Office
CNFC China National Fisheries Corporation - Group Headquarters
W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V.
SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters
Icicle Seafoods, Inc
Starkist Seafood Co. - Headquearters
Trident Seafoods Corp.
American Seafoods Group LLC - Head Office
Marel - Group Headquarters
SalMar ASA - Group Headquarters
Sajo Industries Co., Ltd
Hansung Enterprise Co.,Ltd.
BIM - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (An Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
COPEINCA ASA - Corporacion Pesquera Inca S.A.C.
Chun Cheng Fishery Enterprise Pte Ltd.
VASEP - Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers
Gomes da Costa
Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
NISSUI - Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. - Group Headquarters
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization - Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Headquarter)
Hagoromo Foods Co., Ltd.
Koden Electronics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S - Headquarters
BVQI - Bureau Veritas Quality International (Head Office)
UPS - United Parcel Service, Inc. - Headquarters
Brim ehf (formerly HB Grandi Ltd) - Headquarters
Hamburg Süd Group - (Headquearters)
Armadora Pereira S.A. - Grupo Pereira Headquarters
Costa Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Headquarters)
Mowi ASA (formerly Marine Harvest ASA) - Headquarters
Marubeni Europe Plc -UK-
Findus Ltd
Icom Inc. (Headquarter)
WWF Centroamerica
Oceana Group Limited
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. - Headquarters
Friosur S.A. - Headquarters
Cargill, Incorporated - Global Headquarters
Benihana Inc.
Leardini Pescados Ltda
CJ Corporation  - Group Headquarters
Greenpeace International - The Netherlands | Headquarters
David Suzuki Foundation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada -Communications Branch-
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd - Headquarters
NOREBO Group (former Ocean Trawlers Group)
Natori Co., Ltd.
Carrefour Supermarket - Headquarters
FedEx Corporation - Headquarters
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. - Group Headquarters
AKBM - Aker BioMarine ASA
Seafood Choices Alliance -Headquarter-
Austevoll Seafood ASA
Walmart | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supermarket) - Headquarters
New Japan Radio Co.Ltd (JRC) -Head Office-
Gulfstream JSC
Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide Headquarters
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Headquarter)
Genki Sushi Co.,Ltd -Headquarter-
Iceland Pelagic ehf
AXA Assistance Argentina S.A.
Caterpillar Inc. - Headquarters
Tiger Brands Limited
SeaChoice
National Geographic Society
AmazonFresh, LLC - AmazonFresh

Copyright 1995 - 2025 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved.   DISCLAIMER