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In Denmark, rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) is the dominant species farmed at sea. Originally the rainbow trout comes from North America, but it is also an ideal species for farming in Denmark. Even though our water and climatic conditions are optimal for this species, it is not able to reproduce itself or breed with the native salmonid species.
Prior to starting their life out at sea, the “juvenile” fish have a two year period on land in our freshwater facilities. When they are around 800g, these fish are transported to our sea farms where they will spend 7-8 months at sea. In this period they will undergo a finishing process of growth and maturation.
At the time of harvest these fish will weigh approx. 3-5kg.
The low saline environment at our sea farms is unique to the Danish waters. This brackish water environment allows the fish to incorporate more of its energy to growth and maturation, and less into physiological costs associated through actively removing salt from their bodies. This gives us a favorable food conversion and optimal growth conditions, compared to fully saline locations.
This low saline water also means that we are not affected by the parasite problems experienced in other, fully saline locations.