Sustainability
Policies
Sustainability
BioFish is proud to contribute to an increase in sustainable food production. Fish health is a key priority, and the location of our site enables shorter transportation distances.
According to the UN, increased seafood consumption per capita can lower global GHG emissions and improve health. Biofish is proud of contributing to increase the supply of healthy, sustainable proteins from the sea for a growing population.
BioFish acknowledges the importance of preserving the health of aquatic ecosystems, preventing pollution and protecting biodiversity. BioFish’s core business of land-based production avoids many of the environmental issues associated with traditional sea-based fish pen farming. By facilitating production close to the market, BioFish avoids comprehensive transport and related emissions.
Production is based on RAS (recirculation aquaculture system) which normally recycles 99 per cent of the water used.
We focus on sustainable operations through these key areas:
We keep our smolt and post-smolt protected from external threats and ensure optimal water flow and temperature to optimise growth and fish welfare.
Approximately 99% of the water we use is recycled. Wastewater is treated, and solid waste is repurposed as fertiliser for local farms. We ensure no fish escape , which means no harm to local biodiversity and nature.
We are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of our feed while carefully tailoring it to provide optimal nutrition and quality for our smolt and post-smolt.
We ensure our smolt live in a biosafe environment by monitoring and treating water to minimize disease and parasites. Our RAS technology requires minimal fish handling, ensuring good fish welfare and promiting growth.
By allowing our customers to release post-smolt, of a significantly larger size, at sites in exposed fjord areas, helps to minimize the exposure to external threats such as extreme weather, sea lice and disease.
We are in a process of replacing our equipment for waste handling at our facility.
Biofish has been certified in Global G.A.P. since 2016. Global G.A.P. ensures that all operations within Biofish’s smolt-facility in Ljones meet internationally recognized best practices. The standard ensures food safety, minimal environmental impact, compliance with good animal welfare and workers health and safety.
As for Biofish’s smolt facilities, the company is also certified according to the add-on standard GRASP (Risk Assessment on Social Practice).
For more information:
Global G.A.P. Aquaculture GRASP
Global GAP is a global standard for responsible farming practices at all stages of primary production. It is built on a holistic approach that covers the key topics of food safety, the environment (including biodiversity), animal welfare, workers’ well-being, processes, and traceability.
We are proud to have achieved the CICERO Shades of Green certificate. This certificate provides independent, research-based evaluations of green bond investment frameworks to determine their environmental robustness.
Our vision: zero emissions
The global population continues to grow rapidly, and fish farming represents one way to meet the increasing demand for sustainable protein production and healthy food. There are limited amounts of wild fish that can be sustainably harvested, and aquaculture therefore must meet the demand for more seafood in peoples’ diets. Sustainable farming of fish and other marine species has an enormous potential globally. With a low carbon footprint, a low feed conversion ratio and a low land and freshwater use, farmed salmon continues to be one of the most eco-efficient forms of animal protein.
BioFish is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Sustainable Ocean Principles established by the UN Global Compact. We have identified four of the SDGs as particularly important for our business, further outlined below. In addition, BioFish remains committed to another nine of the SDGs.
The salmon farming industry is driving developments in global aquaculture. As a result, we are making a broader contribution to sustainable seafood production. Sustainable farming methods and practices, biological and technical innovation, research, new knowledge, and government regulations developed for the salmon farming industry can be transferred to the production of other marine species in other parts of the world. The solutions we find not only make our own operations more sustainable, but also advance the practices of fish farming industries in other countries. That way, we can truly contribute to zero hunger.
Farmed fish is one of the animal proteins with the lowest carbon footprint. Still, the salmon farming industry must work to cut the carbon footprint of our salmon even further.
We work to conserve and use oceans, seas, and marine resources sustainably. We have a responsibility to protect marine biodiversity, and we strive to find new ways to reduce our environmental footprint and improve the welfare of our fish.
We cannot reach the goals we have set alone. We collaborate with authorities, research institutions, other salmon farmers, NGOs, students, suppliers and others to advance sustainable aquaculture. We share knowledge, expertise, and technology. We seek to be honest, exchange ideas, and learn from those around us.