News
ADQ and Finnforel to develop land-based trout farm in UAE

ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company has signed an agreement with Finnforel, a Finnish aquaculture technology company to explore the feasibility of cultivating rainbow trout in a land-based facility.

The potential facility–with a capacity of three thousand tons per year–will be located within KEZAD’s dedicated zone for aquaculture and related industries.

The recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) employ advanced biofiltration, while recirculating and reusing water within a closed system, ensuring zero biowaste and wastewater. 

After a satisfactory conclusion of the feasibility stage, the development of the fish farming facility would be the first large-scale implementation of recirculating aquaculture systems in the UAE. The facility will be modelled after Finnforel’s indoor aquaculture concept. 

“Our collaboration with Finnforel exemplifies our commitment to harnessing state-of-the-art technology to facilitate the expansion of local food production capabilities. With imports currently catering to the vast majority of the demand for protein in the UAE, our focus is to work towards closing supply gaps by introducing a new way of cultivating high-quality seafood that is cherished for its nutritional value,” said Mansour AlMulla, deputy group chief executive officer at ADQ.

According to the FAO, seafood comprises 15 per cent of the world’s animal protein intake. The global apparent consumption of aquatic foods per capita was 20.6 kg in 2021, which has more than doubled over the past 60 years. FAO estimates that consumption will increase by a further 12 per cent by 2032. In 2022, for the first time in history, global aquaculture exceeded capture fisheries as the main producer of aquatic animals, with aquaculture production reaching 94.4 million tons. 

Pekka A. Viljakainen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Finnforel Group, said the company’s mission is to build a network of local facilities based on its vertically integrated concept.

“The current global realities are heightening our awareness of the critical importance of food security. In the foreseeable future, it will become imperative for every nation to ensure the local production of most of their consumed food, including fresh fish. It is a tremendous honour for Finnforel to embark on this exciting journey of prospective growth with ADQ,” added Viljakainen.

• Tweet

• Amar Seafood to build Eastern Canada’s largest land-based aquaculture facility
• Water ApS splits operations, unveils Tritonlux for UV water cleaning