The finalists – The Innovation Award 2025

This year has set a new record for the number of applications to the Aqua Nor Innovation Award. The jury has reviewed all the applications and nominated three candidates for the Innovation Award. The winner will be selected by the board of the Nor-Fishing Foundation, and the award will be presented during Aqua Nor 2025.

The jury

• Kari Lisbeth Fjørtoft from Hofseth International AS (formerly Møreforsking AS)
• Bjørn Kåre Steinnes from Innovation Norway
• Kjell Maroni from FHF
• Jan Henrik Sandberg from the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association.

The jury was chaired by Oddbjørn Rygvold Rødsten.

After reviewing and assessing the applications for the Aqua Nor Innovation Award, the jury has nominated the following three finalists (in random order):

• UltraAQ AS
• Greenfox Marine AS
• Circmar AS

UltraAQ – Autonomous Electric Cleaner for Net/Cage Maintenance

UltraAQ AS has developed an autonomous net washer that operates fully independently without an umbilical. The washer automatically starts from the charging position, cleans the net, and returns to the charging station for recharging and data exchange. Once recharged, it automatically resumes cleaning from where it left off. This continuous cleaning solution results in minimal fouling, good water flow, minimal pollution, and reduced stress for the fish during cleaning operations. The solution has been successfully tested in pilot facilities.

Greenfox Marine AS – Fully Automated Solution for Gender Sorting and Health Screening of Salmon Smolt

Greenfox Marine has developed an automated technology for gender sorting and comprehensive health screening of salmon smolt, using ultrasound and artificial intelligence (AI). The technology is seamlessly integrated into existing vaccination lines and enables simultaneous sorting by both gender and various health parameters – all in one efficient and fast process. This innovation provides significant benefits to the aquaculture industry, including reduced mortality, improved fish welfare, more consistent and faster growth, optimized production management, and increased profitability. Additionally, it contributes to lower environmental impact and more efficient resource utilization. The market potential is clear, driven by the industry’s need to reduce losses, strengthen fish health, and meet increasingly strict regulatory requirements. Greenfox Marine’s invention is the first operational device to combine automatic gender sorting with AI-based ultrasound diagnostics.

Circmar AS – Reusable Packaging Solution for the Seafood Industry

Circmar AS has developed an innovative and sustainable packaging solution intended to replace the current single-use packaging model for packing and transport. The solution includes collapsible and reusable fish crates, reusable pallets, sensors for tracking and monitoring crates and pallets, as well as a complete system for return, disinfection, and cleaning. Over time, this solution can replace the current model using styrofoam boxes and wooden pallets, offering a more sustainable concept where reusable packaging is delivered as a service. Jury’s Recommendation to the Board The jury recommends Greenfox Marine as the winner of the Innovation Award.