Young Entrepreneurs develop solution for Gentler High-Pressure Delicing 

Among this year’s new exhibitors at Aqua Nor is SalmonSolutions AS from Trondheim – a start-up dedicated to improving fish welfare through high-pressure delicing. Working in collaboration with research institutions such as SINTEF, they are developing a treatment method that makes the process gentler, without compromising efficiency.

Gabriel L. Einmo and Roald E. Edvardsen are two of the four entrepreneurs in SalmonSolutions. Together with Sonja Skjetne and Kristina T. Magnussen, they have developed a biodegradable additive that is mixed into the water during treatment.

— The additive changes the water’s physical properties, making it easier for the salmon lice to release their grip. This reduces the need for high water pressure, which in turn lowers the physical strain on the fish, saysGabriel and Roald.

Lower stress means a reduced risk of injuries, mortality, and other welfare issues – particularly during repeated treatments. Their goal is to improve fish welfare while maintaining effective lice removal.

Approved for use in food production

SalmonSolutions recognizes that adding substances to any process involving food can mean long approval processes.

— We focus on using additives with E-numbers, as these are already approved for food production. If our solution works as intended, it will be safe for use in contact with food and living organisms – and will break down naturally without leaving harmful residues in the sea, Roald explains.

Moreover, the additives can be used without any modifications to current equipment, making the solution easy to implement. In theory, the method could prove far gentler on fish than chemical or thermal treatments.

Positive reception from the aquaculture industry

Although still in its early stages, SalmonSolutions’ innovation has already caught the attention of several established organizations in the industry.

— Several experts in the industry, as well as fish farmers, have expressed their interest in our method, and many have offered to help us develop it further. We’ve been in contact with Smir AS – the manufacturer of the machine we’ve based our solution on – about potential testing, Gabriel says.

— We’re still in high school and have a lot to learn, so having professional experts supporting us means a lot.

Ready for the next step as exhibitors

The young entrepreneurs attended Nor Fishing 2024 as visitors. This year they are excited to step up as exhibitors.

— Most of the opportunities we’ve had so far have come from the conferences we’ve attended. Aqua Nor is the largest aquaculture industry event, so being an exhibitor here will be perfect for us, the two of them says, before adding:

— We hope everyone who is curious will stop by for a chat – we love talking to people in the industry!