15-års lisens for oppdrett i Namibia

Cape Atlantic Salmon (CAS), a Norwegian company, is set to launch an Atlantic salmon aquaculture project off the coastal town of Lüderitz, located on Namibia's southwestern coast. The company, through its Namibian subsidiary, has secured a 15-year license to annually produce up to 51,000 tons of salmon. The venture will commence next year with an initial production phase targeting up to 5,000 tons of salmon housed in four large sea pens. The first harvest is expected by the end of 2026.

Gunstige forhold og norsk teknologi

CAS CEO Helge Krøgenes highlights the favorable conditions along the Namibian coast for salmon farming, pointing out the beneficial current patterns and sea temperatures ranging between 10 to 16 degrees Celsius. The initial sea pens will be situated 8 to 16 nautical miles offshore in waters 80-110 meters deep. The project will leverage Norwegian technology with specific enhancements to suit local conditions. The operational team is led by experienced aquaculture expert Barend Stander, who previously worked on pilot projects in South Africa.

Finansiering og smolt-produksjonsplaner

The project enjoys substantial support from Namibian authorities, who see promise in the aquaculture industry. The financial framework for the project involves a mix of loan financing and public subsidies, with an estimated capital requirement between 65 to 100 million NOK. Namibian banks have shown keen interest in participating in the project's financing. To facilitate expansion, CAS plans to construct a smolt production facility in Namibia. For the initial phase, smolts will be sourced from a facility in Fizantankraal, South Africa, and salmon roe from Benchmark.

Samarbeid med universiteter og lokal ekspertise

Namibia possesses existing infrastructure for processing pelagic fish and farming other species, such as abalone and oysters. While the country lacks direct experience with salmon farming, its extensive fisheries expertise provides a strong foundation. CAS has established partnerships with Stellenbosch University in South Africa and is developing collaborations with Namibian universities to build local knowledge and expertise. These initiatives aim to foster a skillful workforce equipped to support the nascent salmon farming industry.

Fokus på lokalt og regionalt marked

CAS plans to cater to markets across Africa and the Middle East, with an initial focus on the local market and South Africa, where the annual salmon consumption is estimated to be 8,000 tons. By replacing imported salmon transported by air from Europe with locally produced salmon, CAS expects to significantly reduce transportation costs.