Features Podcast
Setting a standard for fish welfare with Borghild Hillestad of Viking Aqua

January 12, 2024 By Jean Ko Din

Viking Aqua wants to build the “next generation RAS for Atlantic salmon,” planning a 33,000-ton facility in Skipavika, Norway. In this episode, Borghild Hillestad shares how she plays a key role as director of fish welfare in the early design/engineering phase. She also shares the company’s plans to establish a Fish Welfare Index that will set parameters for the facility’s artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring system.

Viking Aqua is an upcoming fish farmer designing its Next Gen RASTM, a land-based RAS facility for Atlantic salmon, in Skipavika on the west coast of Norway, Gulen municipality. (Photo: Viking Aqua)
The company has obtained a concession to produce 33,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon, of which 5,600 tonnes will be raised to the post-smolt stage, and the remaining 27,400 tonnes will be grown to full harvest size. (Photo: Viking Aqua)
The RAS facility is based on a design developed in collaboration with AquaBioTech Group, Framo AS, Overhalla Betongbygg AS, and Viking Aqua. (Photo: Viking Aqua)
The site spans over 200,000 m2, and construction of the first phase, consisting of a 30,500 m2 building with 48 modular tanks, each with its own separate RAS system. (Photo: Viking Aqua)